Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation'

A native grass, little bluestem was once dominant in the tallgrass prairie region of central North America. Standing Ovation is a superior selection that features wider (than straight species plants) blue leaf blades with red tips.

In late summer, tall flower spikes shoot up from the exceptionally colored bluish green blades as the foliage takes on shades of purple at the base. In autumn, attractive clusters of fluffy, silvery white seed heads rest against its spectacular orange and red fall color and often persist through winter, a good food source for birds. Most winters see it standing tall and bronze, stunning against fresh snow, adding interest to the garden.

Clump forming, it has a tight, upright habit that maintains a uniform, somewhat formal appearance, never running and becoming weedy. This low-maintenance plant is best suited to sunny, high, and dry environments. It tolerates heat and drought (even sun-baked areas) better than most ornamental grasses and is an excellent choice for xeriscapes but is also well suited to rock gardens, meadow gardens, mixed beds, and containers. It's lovely planted in a border, and it's deer resistant.

Berlandiera, Salvia, and Leucanthemum make good companions.