Schizachyrium

( skits - ah - KEER - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of warm-season perennial grasses includes species which grow well in full sun and have minimal water requirements once established. They are known commonly as Bluestems, referring to the distinctive lavender-blue tint found towards stem bases. They are native to Canada, Mexico and the United States and have an upright, clumping habit, growing in tufts 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, held in purple-bronze to greenish spikelets in late summertime; they transform into fluffy, silvery-white seed heads. Leaf color can vary depending on the species cultivated, but is usually bright green or blue in summer, aging to dark red to light brown in fall and winter. Use these grasses in mass plantings or drifts, or for erosion control in sloped areas. They can be employed as accents and border plants, or in mixed beds and borders for texture and movement. They are commonly included in wildlife, drought tolerant, pollinator, and low-maintenance gardens, and can also be grown in containers.

Schizachyrium Species and Varietals

Schizachyrium is a genus of 60 to 70 species in the plant family Poaceae. Grasses in this genus are related to those in Cymbopogon (Lemongrass), Andropogon (Bluestem), Miscanthus (Silver Grass), and Imperata (Japanese Bloodgrass). Species generally grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 or Sunset growing zones 1-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Schizachyrium condensatum (Colombian Bluestem, Bush Beardgrass, Little Bluestem, Aguará Ruguay, Yerba Barbuda)
This species is native to Central America (Mexico, El Salvador) and South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay). Individual plants reach up to 3 to 5 feet tall and forms clumps over time. Colombian Bluestem is a tropical grass that is suited for USDA hardiness zones 10-12. This species is considered invasive in the Hawaiian Islands.

Schizachyrium maritimum (Gulf Bluestem)
This species is native to the Gulf Coast of the United States, where it grows in sandy areas along the waterline, sometimes submerged. Plants produce single stems that lie decumbent along the ground and root at nodes, looking and behaving like rhizomes. Stems are waxy and reddish. These plants are commonly used in revegetation projects on the Gulf and provides habitat for several animals.

Schizachyrium sanguineum (Crimson Bluestem, Red Autumn Grass, Tropical Bluestem, Crimson False Bluestem)
This species grows in sandy sites and pine flatwoods in the United States (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) as well as Central and South America. Individual plants reach up to 4 feet tall and produces white to brown panicles from summer through fall. Stems are reddish and leaves are green, turning vibrant colors of orange, red and purple in late fall and winter. This species performs well in USDA hardiness zones 8-10.

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem, Beardgrass, Prairie Beardgrass, Broom Beardgrass, Popotillo Azul)
These perennial bunchgrasses are native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and reaches up to 2 to 4 feet tall and 1.5 to 3 feet wide, spreading slowly to form clumps. Foliage is blue-green, and fall color is copper to orange. These grasses have a strong drought tolerance. Cultivars include 'Blaze' (with greyish leaves that turn red in fall), 'The Blues' (with powder blue leaves that change to burgundy), 'Twilight Zone' (silver-purple foliage and iridescent violet tips), 'Blue Heaven' (pink-plum fall color), 'Jazz' (dwarf to 2 feet tall), and 'Carousel' (with grey-green leaves and multicolored fall foliage).

Caring for Schizachyrium

Space these grasses between 12 and 24 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. They can be spaced 3 feet apart from each other and other plants if being used as an accents. Plant in an area that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, but do appreciate some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. If they do not receive enough sunlight, they can become floppy and lose their vibrant color. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 to 8.4 (acidic to alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants have low to very low water needs. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch, and provide deep waterings during extended periods of dry weather. Allow soil to dry out between irrigations.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune in late winter or early springtime just before new growth begins to emerge, and then cut all foliage down to between 2 and 6 inches from the soil surface. Schizachyrium can be expected to survive in the landscape for 3 to 10 years or more, and will form clumps which can be divided, providing new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Caring for Schizachyrium in Containers
Schizachyrium can be used as a 'thriller' plant in container arrangements. Choose a container that is at least 1 to 5 gallons and between 18 and 24 inches wide. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away from the root zone. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. These grasses require consistently moist soil to thrive; as a general rule of thumb, water every day in the summer. During the rest of the year, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Schizachyrium grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground, but are still considered very drought tolerant. Prune in late winter or early springtime just before new growth begins to emerge, and then cut all foliage down to between 2 and 5 inches from the soil surface. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that the plant needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. These plants will need to be divided every once in a while to maintain their health (and the health of plants around them). For instructions on how to divide Schizachyrium grasses successfully, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Schizachyrium, or Bluestem, is best propagated through division of existing plants; for instructions on how to propagate Bluestem, see the instructions below:

Propagating Schizachyrium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are grown in a cramped space or container. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once it is worked up out of the ground, lay it out. Remove any dirt or debris from the roots.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. Then plant the divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting and resume care instructions.

Problems and Pests

Certain Schizachyrium species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Schizachyrium grasses, although typically considered quite resilient, can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the home garden: