Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ is an excellent performing warm season perennial grass. It maintains a tight, upright habit throughout the season, even in rich soil. Its foliage is thicker than typical leaf blades of the species. Also referred to as Little Bluestem or Beardgrass, its bluish-green leaves turn to shades of orange and purple in the fall. Fluffy white seed heads add to its appeal. These may be removed if self-sowing is a problem. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ is great for naturalizing or for accenting the sunny wildflower border. Little Bluestem is utilized by butterflies, songbirds, pollinators and other insects.

Schizachyrium scoparium is native to almost all the contiguous United States and the southern half of Canada. It is indigenous to prairies, meadows, savannas, rocky glades and other well-drained, even dry sites. It is often a dominant species in the short grass prairies of the Central and Great Plains as well as a major component of tall grass prairies. It was formerly known as Andropogon scoparius.

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ prefers full sun and drier to moist, but well-drained soils. It dislikes wet soils, particularly in winter. It is great for hot, dry areas and is drought tolerant once established.

An eastern North American prairie grass growing 2 4 feet tall, ‘Standing Ovation’ has blue-grey leaf blades with red tips. Purplish-bronze flowers rise in late summer in 3-inch long racemes on branched stems above the foliage. Fall color is reddish-maroon and persists late into winter.

Mature size: 2-4 ft T x 1-2 ft W

Minimum temperature: -20F