Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Brush Strokes’) enlivens sunny gardens with upright, powder-blue stems that shift to wine-red come autumn. Its narrow foliage remains elegantly vertical, swaying in the breeze but bouncing back to form a neat, 32- to 36-inch-tall clump. This native perennial grass offers texture and movement from late summer through winter, producing stiff, bristly seed heads that stay standing into colder months. Brush Strokes resists deer browsing and tolerates heat, drought, and challenging soils where other plants fail, making it a top choice for impactful low-maintenance plantings.
In addition to its appealing color changes, Brush Strokes Little Bluestem is prized for its easygoing habit and ability to anchor eroded areas with its strong root system. Its origins in North America endow it with adaptability and resilience, so it thrives in hot, dry landscapes or along slopes and roadsides. Use it in mass plantings for a striking sea of swaying stems, or spotlight it in borders, rock gardens, and containers as a focal accent. Its architectural form, combined with soft, airy foliage, complements both modern and cottage-style designs.
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Care
Plant in full sun, ensuring at least six hours of direct light daily for the best color and best overall growth. Provide average to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, though this grass tolerates lean, sandy, or rocky substrates. Water regularly during the first growing season to encourage a robust root system, but reduce watering once it’s established. Fertilizer is typically unnecessary; too much nitrogen can weaken stems. A thin layer of mulch helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds without holding excess moisture against the roots.
Deadheading isn’t required, as the bristly seed heads provide fall and winter interest. If needed, cut back old stems to ground level in late winter or early spring to allow fresh shoots to emerge. This grass performs well in containers if given a large enough pot and proper drainage. In colder climates, keep container-grown plants in a sheltered spot to help protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Spacing
Space individual plants about two feet apart when creating a row or mass planting, leaving enough room for each clump to sway without overcrowding. Tighter spacing of 18 inches can create a denser, more dramatic stand, but ensure sufficient airflow and sunlight exposure. For container growing, choose a pot at least 12 to 14 inches in diameter, allowing the root system enough space to expand.
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 2.67 – 3 Feet
Mature Spread: 22 – 26 Inches
Spacing: 22 – 26 Inches
Habit: Clumping, Upright
Flower Color(s): Brown
Flower Description: Tan
Bloom Period: Grown For Foliage
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Blue, Red
Foliage Description: Powder blue stems turning wine-red in fall
Seasonal Interest: Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 3 Season Interest
Watering: Low
Resists: Deer
Tolerates: Drought
Attracts: Birds
Container Role: Thriller
Uses: Borders, Combinations, Containers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens
Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America
Brand: Proven Winners
Common Name: Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Grass
Other Name(s): Brush Strokes Little Bluestem, Prairie Beardgrass
