{"product_id":"schizachyrium-scoparium-little-bluestem","title":"Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA confirmed deer-resistant cornerstone of upland meadow ecosystems, little bluestem hosts an impressive roster of six named skipper butterflies - Cobweb, Dusted, Ottoe, Delaware, Crossline, and Swarthy - while its deep root system does double duty controlling erosion and boosting drought tolerance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSchizachyrium scoparium, or little bluestem, is a warm-season, clump-forming grass native to prairies and open woodlands across North America, growing 2 to 4 feet tall. Slender blue-green leaves transition to striking shades of orange, red, and purple in fall, topped by fluffy silver seed heads that persist through winter for year-round visual interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrairie, meadow, and upland restoration - cornerstone species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarval host habitat for six named skipper butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeer-pressured sites - confirmed deer resistant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErosion control and xeriscaping on dry, well-drained soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry, well-drained soils; adaptable to rocky and poor sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e High\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - A dry prairie grass (Little Bluestem); despite the genus-name similarity to wetland Schoenoplectus bulrushes elsewhere in this batch, this is a different genus (Schizachyrium) entirely and is not wetland-associated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Graminoid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2-4 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow, Orange, Red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e NI (No Indicator) - see flags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northeast\/Mid-Atlantic (full list)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry-Mesic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep (24-36 in.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intolerant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clumping\/Mounding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (Rarely Damaged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Larval host, supports butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eDeep root system helps prevent soil erosion while enhancing drought tolerance. Cut back in late winter or early spring to allow fresh new blades to fill in; not recommended for damp sites or heavy clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"50 Cell 2\" Plug","offer_id":48941158531143,"sku":"SCH-SCO 50CELL","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Seed","offer_id":48941158563911,"sku":"S-SCHSCO","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/foliage6.jpg?v=1790781052","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/schizachyrium-scoparium-little-bluestem","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}