you might plant the seeds in spring or fall, and they establish quickly.
Be aware that little bluestem self-seeds freely, so it can become a nuisance in well-manicured landscapes.
Little Bluestem Care
Little bluestem is a drought-resistant and easy-careornamental grass.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Just pop it in a sunny position and watch it thrive.
Soil
This grass does best in a well-drained soil that is dry or has light moisture levels.
It can also tolerate clay and occasional wet (but not continually inundated) conditions.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It’s a good choice for poor, infertile landscapes.
Water
Once little bluestem is established, it has good drought tolerance.
Additional watering can result in the plant stems drooping unattractively.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Overwatering can even kill the plants.
It copes with dry and humid heat and thrives when temperatures are above 80F.
A drier, less fertile soil helps to keep the stems shorter and stronger.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The seeds continue to be a winter food source for the local birds if you wait until the spring.
Doing it early in the year allows the roots of the division plenty of time to establish before winter.
Space the divisions around 1 1/2 feet apart.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
That way, the extensive root system will have a chance to establish before winter arrives.
It will germinate within one to three weeks with the right temperatures (around 80F).
Using 3 to almost 5 pounds of seeds per acre produces good results.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Common Problems With Little Bluestem
Little bluestem is not afflicted by many pests or diseases.
Lodging can result in fungal leaf spot development.
This grass can take up to two years to fully establish.
The grass also spreads underground but the seeds are mostly responsible for its expansion.
The seeds are a high-value source of winter nutrition for birds.
If you’re looking for adeer-resistant grass, however, little bluestem isn’t the one to choose.
