Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation'

Schizachyrium 'Standing Ovation': Bolt Upright, Even in Rich Soil

'Standing Ovation' refuses to sit down. Blue blades shoot straight up all summer, then fall turns them red, orange and maroon like the audience just lost its mind. BRAVO. ENCORE. ANOTHER ENCORE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'
• Common Name: Little Bluestem
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Fine flower spikes that become fluffy, silvery seed heads
• Bloom Time: Late summer into early fall (August to September)
• Foliage: Blue with red tips in summer, turning red, orange and maroon in fall, fading to bronze in winter
• Features: Very upright habit, salt and clay tolerant, winter interest

Where to Plant: Because it stands so well, it's one of the best little bluestems for regular garden beds, containers and irrigated landscapes, not just lean prairie soil. Use it in groups for a vertical rhythm through a border, and lean on its clay and road salt tolerance for boulevards, foundation beds and driveway edges.

Companion Plants: Plant upright 'Standing Ovation' in a sunny, dry bed with lavender-pink thrift, deep violet lavender and tall blazing star. Armeria Dreameria® 'Sweet Dreams' edges the front with lavender-pink globes at 25 to 30 cm from May to September. Lavandula Sensational!® adds fragrant deep violet spikes at 60 to 75 cm from July to September. Iris 'Play with Fire' opens ruffled crimson bearded iris at 90 cm in June. Liatris pycnostachya brings tall rose-purple spikes at 90 to 150 cm from July to September.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun. It grows in a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay loam, as long as water doesn't sit. Water through the first season. After that, it rarely needs help. It's a warm-season grass, so it wakes up late in spring. Leave it standing all winter and cut it to the ground in late winter or early spring. It can self-seed a little but isn't aggressive. Divide in spring if the clump opens up in the middle.

History: 'Standing Ovation' was introduced by North Creek Nurseries in Pennsylvania after it turned up in their trials, likely as a natural seedling of the little bluestem 'Prairie Blues'. When the species was named Perennial Plant of the Year® for 2022, 'Standing Ovation' was recommended for every region because it stays upright in fertile soil.

Final Thoughts: Clay, salt, drought and deer don't get a ticket. Plant it where the whole street has a front row seat. TAKE A BOW, YOU'VE EARNED IT.