It is generally not their first choice and will often only graze it when better grass is in short supply. The first year is basically the only growth stage of sage grass that cattle will graze on it since the grass is more tender and palatable at this stage. However, in pastures it is generally ignored by cattle except in the first year's growth. It requires no maintenance once it is established. It is drought resistant and has a well-developed root system that helps keep soil in place on hillsides and seasonal creek banks. Sage grass can also be used for erosion control in difficult sites. In cool season grass pastures, as in the photo, the sage stands a few feet above the pasture grass. If you want to see sage grass in its natural environment, the winter months are the best times. When used in flower gardens and sitting gardens that get plenty of sunlight, people say they love the color the grass provides. The tan color often is used to offset the green vegetation of landscape plants. It is grown and used as a landscape plant and sold in commercial nurseries. Sage Grass UsesĪlthough it is an undesirable grass in pastures, it does have some uses elsewhere. Due to landscape uses and planted grass that escaped cultivation, it can now be found from California to the east coast. It has been hard to pinpoint the exact range of sage grass, but I know from my customers and website visitors that it exists from Virginia and down. Its natural range is in the far south from Texas to Florida and upwards to at least Maryland. In this case, it is an indicator of poorly maintained, low nutrient fields. The definition of a signal grass means its presence indicates that much greater problems exist in the soil. It is also referred to as a type of signal or indicator grass. Often referred to simply as "Sage Grass" or "Sage", it is a native grass to the U.S. It tends to go dormant without moisture, so the best appearance is preserved with weekly watering, especially those plants in containers.īluestem grass is a remarkably adaptable and attractive addition to the home landscape as long as you are aware of its invasive potential.Broomsedge Bluestem grass is no stranger to the fields in the south and Mid-West. The plant needs supplemental water in early establishment stages, but thereafter is quite self-sufficient except in severe drought. It needs no nitrogen application the first year, but in subsequent years will benefit from a high nitrogen fertilizer application in spring. Sow the seed in spring or plant plugs for quicker establishment. There are no serious pest or disease threats to little bluestem plants. In container situations, this means you will need to divide the plant annually to prevent overcrowding and the take-over of the container. The plants also grow side shoots which can be divided from the parent and transplanted. The only way to prevent this is to cut off the seed heads before they mature, but this reduces some of the visual appeal. The seeds establish easily after spring rains wash them into the soil, which means the unwary gardener may find little bluestem in lawns and other areas where it is not wanted. The grass’s fluffy seed heads are an added attraction to this colorful plant but they freely disperse in wind and, when disrupted, send floating seeds to all corners of the garden. Considerations when growing little bluestem grass Seeds and plugs make growing little bluestem grass in the landscape easy, and they are available where wild plants are sold. It is a forage grass in native regions for wild grazers and other animals. The leaves are flat with slightly hairy bases and tend to roll up at maturity. It prefers warm regions where there are rocky outcrops or dry gritty soil but is also found as transition material between cultivated land and forest. Its color deepens to rusty mahogany in fall and the clumps persist through much of the winter unless crushed by snow. This 3 foot (1 m.) tall bunchgrass grows a foot (31 cm.) in diameter. As an added bonus, songbirds and gamebirds enjoy the seeds and it provides cover for foraging wildlife. Growing little bluestem grass in the landscape as an ornamental foliage plant provides a dimensional and architectural foil for broad leaved and flowering plants. It is a perennial warm-season grass with pretty bluish green color followed by rust colored fall foliage and fluffy white seed heads. Schizachyrium scoparium is the botanical name for little bluestem plant. Read on for little bluestem information so you can decide if this interesting plant is right for your landscape. It is a prolific self-seeder and can become invasive with little bluestem in lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass. It is found in many types of soil but is particularly adapted to well-drained, nearly infertile soil which makes it an excellent erosion barrier. Little bluestem plant is a native grass to North America.
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