Each year , thePerennial Plant Associationchooses a “ works of the year . ” It ’s a great way to highlight industrial plant that consistently grow well in garden all over North America . ( Amsoniais one of our favorites from the past tense . ) This year ’s plant of year is a beautiful native grass , little bluestem . This native of the prairie and sandy regions is also alarval boniface plantfor nine coinage of skipper butterfly .
footling Andropogon furcatus ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) is listed ashardy to USDA Zone 4 , so it can grow well in most of the southern two - thirds of Minnesota . However , several cultivar are listed as zona 3 hardy , so even those in northern Minnesota may want to give it a try .
It grows best in full sun and does not require fertiliser in most soils . It in reality favor a lean , sandy soil and can tolerate dry conditions , drouth , even crushed rock . It is a fond time of year supergrass , come forth later in the spring . The stem of the industrial plant are flock at flat coat degree and appear almost dreary in color when they first emerge . by and by in the season , the stalks turn a pinkish - orange color with creamy seed heads floating above the plant life . Stems are very sturdy , so you may bequeath them up all winter , leave an exclamation head in the snow - covered garden and a place for beneficial insects to overwinter .
Blue Heaven little bluestem is a tidy grass that blends well with many perennials.
In the garden , little bluestem grows about 3 feet marvelous and provides a vertical backcloth to all kinds of aboriginal blossom . Mine is planted nearrudbeckia , astersandpenstemonfor time of year - long interest .
cultivar of Note
The species little blue stem is a beautiful flora , but works stock breeder have enter several cultivar that grow well in specific regions of North America . Here are three that would work well in any northerly garden .
Blue Heaven little bluestem is a tidy grass that blends well with many perennials.
Blue Heaven ® – This cultivar has been around for several year and was developed by Mary Meyer of the University of Minnesota . ( She ’s presently chair of the MSHS plug-in of manager . ) This little blue stem is a turn tall than the species and its foliage has purple highlights through out . It ’s a beauty !
‘ malarky ’ — This cultivar is hardy to geographical zone 3 , so folk in northern Minnesota can give it a attempt . It ’s shorter than most cultivars and has over-embellished undertone like to Blue Heaven . It was develop at the Chicago Botanic Garden .
‘ Standing Ovation ’ — This works was pick out for its summit and more just riding habit . It grow nearly 4 foot magniloquent and has scarlet spirit in the foliage in fall .
Whether your choose the species industrial plant or a cultivar , little blue stem is an adaptable , pollinator - well-disposed choice for any northerly garden .
