Bluestem Grasses consist of a variety of grasses that are native to much of the prairie and Great Plains regions of North America. There are three variations of bluestem grasses: big bluestem, little bluestem, and sand bluestem. Any of these low maintenance ornamental grasses are outstanding when planted in mass plantings or as an accent plant. Providing great texture, Blue Stem is a striking addition in any yard all summer, fall, and winter. These Bluestem grasses are often used to stabilize various soils and protect from erosion caused by the wind. Bluestems are warm season, native, large clumping perennial grasses that come in several varieties and are used for forage, landscaping, wildlife, and conservation.
These grasses are tolerant of a wide range of soils and moisture. They thrive in warm temperatures with moderate amounts of rain and tolerate harsh conditions. During the cold winters they turn brown and go dormant. Big Bluestem Grasses can grow up to 10 feet tall, while the Sand Bluestem is a bit smaller and grows to a height of about 7 feet. Little Bluestem Grasses are the smallest of the three varieties and grows to a maximum of 3 feet. The flowers of Bluestems are usually in 3 dense, elongate clusters from a common point that resembles a turkey foot.