{"product_id":"the-blues","title":"The Blues","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blues Little Bluestem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchizachyrium scoparium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 'The Blues') is a colorful native ornamental grass prized for its striking blue foliage, upright habit, and brilliant fall color. Growing approximately 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, it forms an attractive clump of narrow, steel-blue to blue-green foliage that provides excellent contrast throughout the growing season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs temperatures cool in fall, the foliage transforms into a beautiful mixture of orange, red, purple, and burgundy. Silvery seed heads develop later in the season, adding soft texture above the foliage and providing food and cover for wildlife. The dried stems and seed heads can be left standing through winter for additional structure, texture, and habitat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blues is an excellent choice for mixed borders, mass plantings, native gardens, meadow plantings, slopes, erosion control, or as a colorful accent. Once established, it is highly tolerant of heat, drought, poor soils, and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for difficult sunny locations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore About The Blues Little Bluestem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLow Maintenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate Growing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerennial Ornamental Grass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative Cultivar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStriking Blue Foliage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrought Tolerant Once Established\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeat Tolerant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePoor Soil Tolerant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed Border, Mass Planting, Native Garden, Meadow, Slopes, Erosion Control, Accent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUpright, Clumping Habit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent Fall Color\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvides Winter Texture and Structure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeer Resistant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvides Food \u0026amp; Cover for Wildlife\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 2-4 Feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpread\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 1-2 Feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 3-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSun Exposure: Full Sun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeason of Interest: Summer, Fall, Winter Texture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil Moisture: Dry to Average, Well Draining\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttributes: Clumping, Upright, Native\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage Color: Steel Blue to Blue-Green; Orange, Red, Purple and Burgundy in Fall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower\/Seed Head Color: Silvery-Tan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare \u0026amp; Maintenance Tips\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant in full sun for the strongest growth and most intense blue foliage color. The Blues performs especially well in dry, lean, and well-drained soils. Avoid overly rich soil and consistently wet locations, which can encourage weaker growth and reduce its naturally upright habit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, The Blues is highly drought tolerant and generally requires little supplemental watering except during prolonged periods of extreme drought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery little fertilizer is required. Little Bluestem performs best in relatively lean soils. Excessive fertilizer can encourage overly vigorous growth and weaker stems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePruning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeave the dried foliage and seed heads standing through winter for added texture, structure, and wildlife value. Cut the entire plant back to approximately 3-6 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hunterdon Tree \u0026 Shrub","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon","offer_id":50520314020080,"sku":"The Blues","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5680\/9200\/files\/images_15.jpg?v=1790109045","url":"https:\/\/hunterdontree.com\/products\/the-blues","provider":"Hunterdon Tree \u0026 Shrub","version":"1.0","type":"link"}