Little Bluestem 'Carousel'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel'
A compact native prairie grass with cool blue-green summer foliage that turns fiery copper-orange in fall, topped with fluffy silver seedheads that persist through winter.
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Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Carousel’ is a compact selection of little bluestem, a grass native across the prairies and open woodlands of eastern and central North America. Its cool blue-green summer foliage shifts to a fiery copper-orange in fall, topped with fluffy, silvery seedheads that catch the light and persist well into winter.
A tidy, four-season native grass
Bred to stay more upright and compact than the wild species, ‘Carousel’ fits neatly into smaller gardens without losing the seasonal color shift that makes little bluestem so valued — cool blue in summer, warm copper in fall, and silver seedheads standing through the coldest months.
Care tips
Plant in full sun in average or lean, well-drained soil; it’s naturally adapted to poor, dry, and rocky ground and dislikes soggy conditions. Water regularly the first season to help it establish, then let it fend for itself through drought. Leave the foliage and seedheads standing through winter for structure and wildlife interest, then cut the whole clump back to just a few inches in late winter before new growth starts.
Fun Fact
'Carousel' is a compact selection of little bluestem, a grass native to nearly every North American prairie, bred to stay more upright and tidy than the wild species while keeping its signature blue-green summer color and fiery copper fall display.
Habitat & form
Where it's from and what to expect.
- Native range
- Prairies and open woodlands of eastern and central North America
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- Compact, roughly 24–30 in. tall in bloom and 18–24 in. wide.
- Bloom
- Fluffy, silver-white seedheads appear atop copper-orange fall foliage from late summer through winter.
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9.
Care
How to keep it happy.
- Sunlight
- Full sun.
- Water
- Drought-tolerant once established; average water while establishing.
- Soil
- Average to lean, well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry, and rocky sites.
- Planting distance
- 18–24 in apart.
- Propagation
- Divide in spring
- Pruning
- Cut back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins; no deadheading needed.
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic