Schizachyrium scoparium Free Spirit® Comet® (`Nontemoc’)
Blooming Time
August
September
October
Exposure
Full Sun
Light Shade
Comet® little bluestem is uniquely skinny and upright- and resistant to wind and rain. But this isn’t all; it is beautifully sky-blue during the spring and summer months, then during the bloom season begins to color up from the base with hues of ruby-red, purple, blue and green. And, it is the lighter sky-blue top part of the plant that looks like the tail of a comet. with its tight growth habit, Comet® is suited to using as a dwarf hedge as well as an architecturally interesting accent and companion plant.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
4
Blossom Color:
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
3½'
Texture:
Fine Texture
Recommended Spacing:
1½' to 2'
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Cuttings
Seasonal Effect
Moderate Area
Salt Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Large Area
Deer Resistant
Hortech Original
Native Cultivar
Features
Skinny, upright and resistant to wind and rain. Beautiful sky-blue foliage during spring and summer. During bloom season the foliage develops tones of ruby-red, purple, blue and green.
Landscape Value
Dwarf hedge, architecturally interesting accent and companion plant.
Care
Watering:
Comet® Little Bluestem is very drought tolerant and typically only needs watering during the hottest days of summer.
Fertilizing:
Comet® Little Bluestem needs little fertilizer, but benefits from a single springtime or fall topdressing (about 1 inch deep) of organic compost or well rotted leaves. Alternatively, a springtime application of a slow release fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Pruning:
Comet® Little Bluestem should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.
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