Cinnamon Sticks Little Bluestem Grass

Cinnamon Sticks Little Bluestem Grass earns attention for its early cinnamon fall color, which arrives sooner and holds longer than many other little bluestem selections. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Cinnamon Sticks’ grows about 32 to 36 inches tall and 24 to 26 inches wide, with a narrow upright habit. The blue-toned summer stems give it a strong presence even before autumn starts, so it carries its weight for more than one season. We often place it where a border needs a narrow vertical accent.This North American native is a warm-season grass that handles heat, drought, and lean soils with little intervention. Its slender form stays useful in prairie-style plantings, erosion-prone slopes, and tight foundation beds where wider grasses can crowd nearby plants. Late summer to early fall flowers are subtle, but the seedheads and upright clump bring texture into the colder months. It also offers deer resistance, making it a good fit for rural sites.Cinnamon Sticks Little Bluestem Grass CarePlant Cinnamon Sticks in full sun in well-drained soil with an acidic to neutral pH. It handles average to dry ground well and is especially comfortable in sandy or lean soil. Skip rich amendments in most sites, since overly fertile soil can weaken the upright habit.Water regularly during the first growing season. Let the soil dry between soakings once the plant is established. This grass rarely needs extra feeding, and too much fertilizer can weaken new growth. In winter, the clump can be left standing for texture and habitat, even after its color has faded.Cut the plant back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or very early spring before new shoots begin. Division can be done in spring if an older clump starts to open in the center or if you want to expand a planting. Avoid cutting it down in fall unless necessary, since the standing foliage is part of its cold-season appeal.Cinnamon Sticks Little Bluestem Grass SpacingSpace plants 24 to 26 inches apart so each clump keeps its upright outline and still has enough airflow. For containers, use a pot at least 16 to 18 inches wide with sharp drainage, and give it partners that can handle sun and a drier root zone. For landscape pairings, consider adding coneflower and sedum for a planting that carries strong summer bloom into the grass’s cinnamon fall display. In containers, African daisy and verbena make a good match, adding lower flower color around the base without hiding the vertical form.