Perennial plant of 2022

Little Bluestem is the most widely distributed native grass in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now its cultivated varieties have been chosen as the perennial plant of 2022. For our western region, Schizachryium scoparium ‘The Blues’ and Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ are two great choices for the landscape.

What makes it the most widely distributed native grass is its ability to grow on a wide variety of well-drained, moderate-to-dry, infertile soils. What makes it great for growing out west is that it does well in soils with a pH of 7.0 and higher. Little Bluestem tolerates drought, which is another plus.

Both of these cultivated varieties have outstanding color displays. Schizachryium scoparium ‘The Blues’ grows 2-4 feet with blue tinted foliage turning burgundy-red in the fall. The blossoms of purple-bronze flowers appear in August above the foliage. This is a great plant to be used in mass or as a groundcover to soften an area of the hardscape in landscape such as a concrete walkway

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