This cultivar of the prairie grass, Little Bluestem, has stunning blue foliage accented by red stems. As fall progresses, an exciting mix of colors appears: purple, orange, and many more shades of blue. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ grows in a mostly upright, clumping form, and it prefers poor soil to soil that is rich and fertile. Elegant seed heads complement the narrow foliage in late summer. In full sun, this native grass remains stiffly upright; too much shade, fertilizer or water may cause it to flop. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ is sought after for its wonderful color display and easy-care properties.

As well as providing year-round cover for wildlife, little bluestem is a larval host plant to various butterflies and moths making it a great choice for a pollinator garden. The feathery, fine blue-green leaves are attractive in a mass planting in a rain, cottage, coastal, or low water use garden. They adapt well to container plantings or can be used in borders or meadows.

Some of the skipper butterflies that utilize little bluestem as a host plant include: Common wood nymph ( Cercyonis pegal a), Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae), Leonard's skipper ( Hesparia leonardus ), Cobweb Skipper ( Hesperia metea ), Dusted Skipper ( Atrytonopsis hianna ), Ottoe Skipper ( Hesperia ottoe ), Delaware Skipper ( Anatrytone logan ), Crossline Skipper, Swarthy Skipper