Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native bunch grass that is easily identified, especially in the late summer and fall when the silvery seed is still atop the stems that have turned “blue”. Look for it at mid elevation on the dry rocky slopes above the desert floor.
Little bluestem is easily found in nurseries as well as in the wild. Its decorative look has established it in urban landscapes and grasses are fun in a personal landscape. They provide movement with the slightest of breeze, but for me more importantly native grasses supply nesting material, seed, and places to hide for native insects and birds. Whatever you do when adding grasses to your wildlife garden stay away from non-natives as they can be invasive and really offer nothing for local critters. Go native and all the native creatures will appreciate it. Believe me.
Petey jabbers about cool plants and critters found in the grassland near his home, but finally hones in on a climbing milkweed vine called...
One day several years ago I sat down and wrote this story about growing up in Kentucky. I still sit and hand write my...
I like this paragraph from The Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness: “Psacalium decompositum is a distinctive plant that apparently reaches its most northern...
