Standing Ovation Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation')
skiz-ah-KEER-ee-um skoe-PAR-ee-um 'Standing Ovation'

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Rigid, Clump-Forming in the Poaceae Family
Spikey bluish-green stems and leaves transition to oranges, reds, yellows and purplish-browns in autumn.
'Standing Ovation' (PP25,202, Steven Castorani & Timothy McGinty, North Creek Nurseries) was discovered in 2003 as a naturally occurring whole-plant mutation growing among 'The Blues' (its likely parent) in a North Creek trial bed, and first divided in 2008. Blue foliage tipped red through the season turns red to maroon in fall and holds its color later than most little bluestem, with purple-bronze plumes maturing to white seed heads. Its rigid, upright, clump-forming habit resists lodging even in rich soil.

Pros

  • Rigid, upright habit resists flopping even in richer soil than most little bluestem tolerates
  • Blue-and-red foliage holds color later into winter than most selections
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Notable origin story: a naturally occurring sport of 'The Blues'

Cons

  • Patented -- propagation restricted to licensed growers
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: Dry to medium. Drought tolerant once established.
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Erosion Control, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Grasses, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Nativar, Normal Soil, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Rabbit Resistant, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period September to October
Flower Color Purple-Bronze to Silvery-White
Foliage Color
 

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Plant Club Content

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), and other sun-loving prairie perennials. A likely sport of its sibling 'The Blues'.

Photos of This with...

Red Butterflies Milkweed, Solanna Golden Sphere Tickseed, Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower, Banana Cream Shasta Daisy
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!