A highly ornamental warm-season bunch grass with fine-textured blue-green foliage that forms dense, upright mounds. Transforms into stunning reddish-bronze color in fall.

Native range: Most of the contiguous United States (except California, Nevada, and Oregon), extending into southern Canada and northern Mexico

Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide (flowering stems reach 4-5 feet), space 2-3 feet apart

Growing conditions: Full sun, well-drained soils from dry to medium moisture. Tolerates wide range of soil types including clay and poor soils

Bloom period: Late summer to early fall (July-September), with attractive seed heads persisting through winter

Wildlife value: Larval host for numerous skipper butterflies. Seeds eaten by songbirds and small mammals; provides overwintering habitat

Garden benefits: Exceptional fall and winter interest, deer resistant, excellent erosion control, low maintenance, drought tolerant, self-seeds readily