Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Blue Heaven® Little Bluestem: Steel-Blue Native Grass That Stands Tall
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Blue Heaven® little bluestem is a taller, more upright selection of a native prairie grass. Wild little bluestem tends to flop; this one stands straight. In summer its steel-blue blades carry purple highlights and look almost iridescent up close. Fall brings a rich blend of purple, blue, red, pink, burgundy and orange that lasts into mid-fall.
It is the rare plant that saves its biggest show for after the lavender harvest.
Blue Heaven at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Schizachyrium scoparium Blue Heaven® |
| Foliage | Steel blue with purple highlights; multicolored in fall |
| Flowers | Glossy purple spikes with fluffy tan seed tufts |
| Size | 42 to 54 inches tall, 30 to 40 inches wide |
| Bloom | Late August into mid-September |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Deer | Resistant |
A grass that thinks like lavender
Little bluestem is a warm-season prairie grass that does best in full sun with lean, dry soil. Wet, rich soil makes it flop or rot, which will sound familiar to any lavender grower. That shared preference makes Blue Heaven an easy partner. Plant it behind a lavender row, at the corners of a bed or in a drift along a dry slope.
In summer, its steel-blue blades look great beside lavender's silver foliage and purple spikes. By late August, after the lavender is cut, glossy purple flower heads appear, then fluffy seed tufts and that long run of fall color. Through winter the standing clump adds structure and movement to a bed that might otherwise look bare.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. It is noted for tolerating heavy clay, dry and alkaline soils, but avoid soggy spots.
- Water: regularly in its first season; very drought tolerant after that.
- Feeding: none. Rich soil leads to flopping.
- Winter: leave it standing for color and structure.
- Early spring: cut back to a few inches before new growth starts.
Slopes and erosion control
Its dense root system makes Blue Heaven an excellent choice for hot, dry banks and eroding slopes, where it helps hold soil in place. Massed with lavender on a sunny hillside, it gives a planting that looks good year round with very little water.
About the plug tray
Blue Heaven is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, perfect for mass plantings, slopes, native gardens and growers. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Heaven native?
Yes. It is a selection of little bluestem, a native prairie grass.
Will it flop?
It is bred to stand upright. Keep the soil lean and it should stay straight.
When should I cut it back?
In early spring, to a few inches, before new growth begins.
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