Little Bluestem 'Standing Ovation'
Light: Full Sun
Type: Perennial
Native
Great, tough, clumping native grass
Photo by Wilson Bros Gardens
Standing Ovation puts on three seasons of color. It starts bluish, with a deeper purple tone towards the base in summer. Small, tan seed heads also appear in late summer. Then in fall, desert sunset shades of red, orange and purple take over. When the weather turns wintery, the grass dries to a pretty wheat gold.
These blades are thicker than those of most other Schizachyrium, which means they stay upright—a great vertical accent for a garden border. Alternatively, you could plant it as a screen for unsightly things in the landscape like a gas meter. The foliage adds longer lines in a flower arrangement, and because it changes colors, it can fit into a few different color palettes.
This grass does well in a wide range of soils. It's especially handy for soils that dry out quickly, because it is drought tolerant. You can also dry it for long-lasting interior décor. (Source: Spring Hill Nurseries)