Native Plant of the Week

 You are welcome to visit the native plant of the week at 4020 Dunston Avenue.

The featured plant will be in the front yard and will be marked.  

Common Name: Little Bluestem, Povertygrass, Bunchgrass

Scientific Name: Schizachyrium scoparium

 

 

 

 

General Description: Clump-forming grass with dense growth of fine leaves at the base that reach about 2 feet in height.  Fluffy seed heads arise on longer stems and add interest and texture to native flower arrangements.  Summer foliage often has a bluish tint which turns a beautiful golden color in fall.

Habitat: Little bluestem grows best in full sun; but can adapt to partial shade and a variety of soils.  It is a deep-rooted grass that is drought resistant – perfect for that sunny, dry spot in the landscape.

Additional information: Little bluestem is an excellent wildlife plant that provides cover, nesting material, and nutritious seeds eaten by many birds and small animals in the winter.  It is also a host plant for several species of skippers (family of small butterflies).  Some skipper caterpillars over-winter in “tents” at the base of little bluestem clumps.

” If half the American lawns were replaced with naitve plants, we could create the equivalent of a 20 million acre national park – nine times bigger than Yellowstone, or 100 times bigger than the Shenandoah National Park.”   Doug Tallamy

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