Schizachyrium scoparium
Broom beard grass, Prairie grass, Wire grass, Bunchgrass
Also known as Andropogon scoparium
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.35m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A grass with an erect growth habit making a slim fan shape of fine grass. The colour of the grass changes as the season progresses. It is pale green in spring, and, during summer includes blue and purple tints, finally, there are red autumnal tones. It is a grass of the North American plains. It is excellent for use in mass plantings, but can also be combined with late summer perennials to good effect. Give it a sunny site in good soil that is never waterlogged. It stands around 1m (3ft) in height with a 35cm (14in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Grey
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Green-pale
- Autumn foliage
- Red-purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.35m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - mid · Planting
Deadhead to tidy for winter
Tidy the plant to make the garden ready for winter. When the flowering season concludes around mid-autumn, cut off the flowered stems to their base.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.