Toxic Plant Pas connu comme étant toxique - Not likely toxic to mammals.
Image of Schizachyrium scoparium
Source: Donna Bos
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Plant Names

image of Graminée
Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Bluestem Grass
Barbon à balais

Synonyms

broom beardgrass
broom bluestem
small bluestem
schizachyrium à balais

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Vert Bloom Period: Jul - Oct
Hauteur max: 3,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Little Bluestem forms upright blue-green clumps that turn brilliant shades of copper, orange, and red in autumn. It grows best in average, well-drained soil.
The dense clumps offer shelter for overwintering insects and small wildlife. It is very drought tolerant and does not spread aggressively. It is excellent for prairie gardens and erosion control.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Schizachyrium scoparium
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Plaines boréales
  • Prairies
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Schizachyrium scoparium

Specialized Bees Supported by Schizachyrium scoparium

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Perovskia Atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
  • Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
  • Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: October
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not likely toxic to mammals.