Prairie Winds® Brush Strokes Little Bluestem

Prairie Winds® 'Brush Strokes' is a native little bluestem selected for narrow upright stems and fine texture. Its powder-blue stems bend gracefully in wind and return upright, then shift toward wine-red in early fall as tan seed heads develop. ## Size and placement Plan for a mature clump about 32–36 inches tall and 22–26 inches wide. Plant it in full sun with room for the clump to show its seasonal color. It works well in borders, prairie-style plantings, and mass plantings, and Walters Gardens lists erosion control among its landscape uses. ## Seasonal color and growing conditions The breeder lists late-summer to early-fall bloom, blue and purple foliage tones, and USDA zones 3–9. Little bluestem is useful in hot, dry sites; the cultivar profile gives low to average water needs and notes that it can grow in acidic or neutral soil. The fine stems and seed heads can remain standing through winter for added structure. ## Maintenance Cut the clump back near ground level in late fall if you prefer a tidier winter garden; leaving stems standing keeps their winter texture. Avoid heavy feeding, which can encourage floppy growth. See the [Walters Gardens profile](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=SCHBS) for cultivar dimensions, seasons, and cultural guidance.