Product Description
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal' PP27433 (30)ct Flat
Common Name: Little Bluestem, Ornamental Grass
This selection of our native Schizachyrium has a beautifully refined habit and puts forth a strong show of color in late summer and fall. The glaucous blue-green foliage begins to take on scarlet red tones in late summer, turning a deeper red-purple through the fall. Tiny, tan seed heads appear in early fall on the top half of the stems.
An improvement over older cultivars, this grass maintains its strictly upright habit through fall. Schizachyrium is a great choice if you are looking to restore an eroded site, or for a plant that will grow in hot, dry areas where other plants have a hard time surviving.
This grass is terrific in a border or meadow setting. It needs full sun and is tolerant of heat and humidity. Schizachyrium can grow in either acidic or alkaline soils, and can tolerate a range of moisture conditions including average to extremely dry. It does not need to be fertilized. It's a good idea to cut this grass back to ground level in late fall in order to have a sturdier plant the coming year.
Height: 3-4 Feet
Spread: 1.5-2 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Tan shades
Foliage Color: Green shades, Blue shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Mid Fall
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Fall Color
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Erosion Control, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant, Native to North America
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal' is a warm-season perennial grass that puts on a fantastic show of color throughout the growing season. Its blue-green foliage takes on smoky purple hues in summer, culminating in a fiery red display in the fall . This upright and adaptable ornamental grass is a favorite for naturalized settings, meadows, and gardens, adding texture, movement, and multi-season interest to any landscape.
'Smoke Signal' is a standout cultivar of Little Bluestem, known for its upright, columnar form and stunning foliage transformation. In spring, the fine, linear leaves emerge with a deep blue-green hue. As summer progresses, the foliage takes on smoky purple overtones, adding depth and richness to its appearance . The most dramatic change occurs in late summer and early fall when the leaves transition to a vibrant scarlet red, then deepen to a rich red-purple . This fiery display provides a bold contrast to the more muted tones of the autumn landscape.
This cultivar maintains its upright habit throughout the season, even in snowy conditions . It typically reaches 3-4 feet in height and 1.5-2 feet in width, forming a tidy clump that does not flop or spread aggressively . In late summer, airy, delicate flower panicles emerge, adding a fine-textured element to the plant. These are followed by attractive white seed tufts that persist through the winter, providing visual interest and food for birds .
'Smoke Signal' is a low-maintenance and adaptable grass that thrives in a variety of conditions. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating drought, heat, and even poor soil . It is also deer and rabbit resistant, making it a carefree choice for any garden.
- Botanical Name Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal'
- Common Name Little Bluestem 'Smoke Signal'
- Hardiness Zones 3-9
- Mature Size 3-4 feet tall and 1.5-2 feet wide
- Bloom Time Late summer
- Sun Exposure Full sun to light shade
- Soil Conditions Well-drained soil
- Water Needs Low to moderate
- Tolerance Drought, deer, rabbit, coastal conditions
Planting
To ensure your Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal' thrives, follow these planting guidelines:
- Spacing: Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for adequate growth and air circulation.
- Soil Preparation: While adaptable to various soil types, amending the soil with compost can improve drainage and fertility.
- Planting Depth: Plant the crown at the same level as it was in the pot.
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help the roots establish. Once established, it requires minimal watering.
Care
'Smoke Signal' is a low-maintenance grass that requires minimal care:
- Watering: Water occasionally during prolonged dry periods.
- Fertilizing: Fertilization is generally not necessary.
- Cutting Back: Cut back the foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
- Dividing: Divide every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Landscaping Ideas with Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal'
This versatile ornamental grass can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your garden:
- Naturalized Settings: Its native origins make it a perfect choice for meadows, prairies, and naturalistic plantings.
- Borders: Add texture and vertical interest to perennial borders.
- Mass Plantings: Create a dramatic effect by planting 'Smoke Signal' in drifts or masses.
- Containers: Its upright habit makes it suitable for container gardening.
- Erosion Control: Its strong root system helps stabilize soil on slopes and banks.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Smoke Signal' is a stunning and reliable ornamental grass that offers multi-season interest with its vibrant foliage and adaptability. Its low-maintenance nature and tolerance for a variety of conditions make it a perfect choice for any garden. Add this beautiful grass to your landscape today and enjoy its beauty for years to come!
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
