Native Wisconsin Bluestem Grasses add Fall Color and Winter Interest

Summer is fading and gardens are starting to change, too. But some plants are just getting started with their best color of the season.

Little bluestem and big bluestem are two native Wisconsin-friendly grasses that really stand out in late summer and fall, according to Bruce Spangenberg, horticulture outreach specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension.

Two grasses, two different looks

Both grasses are native to Midwestern prairies and are hardy throughout Wisconsin, but they grow quite differently.

Little bluestem usually reaches 2 to 4 feet tall. Its blue-green foliage turns shades of red, orange and purple in the fall. Silvery seedheads add movement and texture, especially when the wind blows. It does best in full sun and well-drained, moderately dry soil. It can be planted in groups or mixed with other perennials.

Big bluestem lives up to its name, growing 4 to 8 feet tall. Its most recognizable feature is its unusual flower clusters, often called a “turkey-foot” shape. The foliage also develops reddish tones in autumn. And because of its height, big bluestem works well toward the back of a garden or as a natural screen.

Beauty that lasts beyond fall

The appeal of these grasses doesn’t end when winter arrives, Spangenberg says. Their seedheads can remain attractive through the winter while providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.

Their extensive root systems also help stabilize soil.

If you are a gardener looking for a particularly dramatic big bluestem, the ‘Blackhawks’ cultivar develops deep purple to nearly black foliage in fall. It was named the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

Showing off fall color, winter interest, and benefits for wildlife — little bluestem and big bluestem can be an easy way to bring a little prairie character to your Wisconsin landscape.

The post Native Wisconsin Bluestem Grasses add Fall Color and Winter Interest first appeared on The Farm.