Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native, warm-season ornamental grass. It begins the season with a subtle blue-green hue, transitioning into striking shades of copper, orange, and deep red in the autumn. As a former dominant species of the tallgrass prairie, Little Bluestem is highly adaptable and resilient. Successful, low-maintenance gardening requires pairing this grass with plants that naturally thrive in its specific environmental niche, creating a cohesive and sustainable landscape.
Matching Growing Conditions
Successful companion planting with Little Bluestem requires matching its native habitat requirements. This grass evolved in harsh prairie conditions, meaning it needs a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily for best performance. Placing it in shade will cause the stems to weaken and collapse.
The soil composition must be well-drained. Little Bluestem tolerates a wide range of soil textures, including sand, loam, and even clay loam, but it cannot withstand wet, soggy conditions. The grass is highly drought tolerant once its deep, fibrous root system is established.
Little Bluestem prefers lean, poor soil conditions. If the soil is too rich or if the plant is over-fertilized, it will grow too tall and become prone to “flopping” late in the season. Selecting companions that also prefer these dry, nutrient-poor conditions is the foundational filter for plant selection.
Structural Companions for Vertical Interest
To contrast the delicate, fine texture of Little Bluestem, select taller perennials that offer a strong vertical presence and architectural form. These plants should be interspersed among the grass or placed slightly behind it to create height variation. They introduce a coarse texture that visually anchors the planting.
Taller varieties of Liatris (Gayfeather or Blazing Star) are ideal structural companions. Species like Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) produce dense, upright spikes of purple flowers that stand tall above the grass foliage. These plants share the preference for dry, full-sun conditions and poor soil.
Baptisia (False Indigo) is another excellent choice, forming a shrub-like, mounding mass of foliage. Its deep taproot allows it to compete effectively with the grass. The spires of blue or yellow flowers provide early-summer verticality before the Little Bluestem matures.
Tall, native coneflowers, such as Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea paradoxa, also provide vertical structure. Their stiff stems and distinct cone shape contrast sharply with the soft, flowing blades of the grass. These plants maintain their form well into the fall, adding lasting structural interest.
Flowering Companions for Seasonal Color
Flowering plants provide bursts of color, especially in late summer and fall, when Little Bluestem is developing its autumn hues. These mid-height and lower-growing companions should be massed to create blocks of contrasting color and differing foliage textures.
Asters, particularly the native Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense), are a choice for late-season color. These plants produce clouds of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of blue and purple, which beautifully complement the warm orange and red tones of the maturing grass.
For vibrant yellow contrast, consider Solidago (Goldenrod) species, such as Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), and Coreopsis (Tickseed). The bright yellow plumes of Goldenrod bloom concurrently with the grass’s peak color transition, creating a fiery display of gold and copper. Coreopsis offers a dense, mounding texture with continuous summer blooms, filling in the lower layer.
Mid-sized succulents like Sedum (Stonecrop), such as the popular ‘Autumn Joy’ cultivar, serve as excellent foreground plants. Their rounded, fleshy leaves and late-season pink-to-burgundy flowers offer a completely different form and texture than the fine grass. Sedum requires the same sharp drainage and low-fertility soil, making it a natural fit.
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) provides long-lasting, daisy-like yellow flowers with dark centers. These vibrant blooms stand out against the blue-green foliage in summer and transition into dark seed heads that provide winter interest.
Year-Round Aesthetic and Care
Little Bluestem offers four-season appeal, extended by its prairie companions. The grass transitions to a striking orange, bronze, or coppery-red color that persists through the winter months. This color is enhanced by the fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that form on the tips of the stems.
Leaving the grass and its companions standing through the winter creates texture and movement against the winter landscape. The standing stems and seed heads offer shelter and a natural food source for over-wintering birds and beneficial insects.
The only necessary maintenance is a single cut-back performed in late winter or early spring, just before new growth emerges. Use sharp shears to cut the dormant stems down to approximately two to four inches above the ground. This practice clears the way for fresh growth and maintains the grass’s neat, upright form.