Location: Meadows, Pavilions Greenroof

A perennial grass native to much of North America, including Maryland, little bluestem is often found in prairies and meadows. Preferring slopes and ridges, this upright, clumping grass can reach a height of three feet, with a broad range of varieties exhibiting a kaleidoscope of colors, from blue green at the base to purple bronze at the tip, and wispy silver flowers in late summer. Highly beneficial to wildlife, especially birds, for its prodigious seed production, little bluestem is also a host plant for native dusky skipper and common woodnymph butterfly larvae found at Glenstone. Its adaptability to a wide range of soils, resistance to deer, tolerance for drought, and generous root depth make it an excellent choice for prairie and meadow restoration, as well as for erosion control. In the spirit of Glenstone’s vision for sustainability, little bluestem has been selected as a primary focal point of the meadows and landscape surrounding the Gallery and the Pavilions.

–Margy Rodgers, from the Glenstone Field Guide