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Compact, dense and blue.

Schizachyrium Carousel

A compact selection that thrives on neglect with colorful blades all season and into the fall.

This compact selection of a native prairie grass thrives on neglect. ‘Carousel’ has distinctive summer foliage that is blue-green with streaks of pink, transitioning to a kaleidoscope of radiant copper, pink, beige and mahogany hues in fall. ‘Carousel’ is resistant to winter lodging, extending interest for months and making it anexcellent choice for the winter landscape. ‘Carousel’ was selected for its dwarf unique rounded, bowl-shaped habit, and superior resistance to lodging in winter. Its fine green to blue-green foliage and upright flowering stems exhibit unique pink tones in midsummer, transitioning to a medley of fall colors in autumn. The stems assume a beige color but remain of interest all winter long. ‘Carousel’ has distinctive upright flowering stems that are the real ornamental value to this plant. The fine-textured summer foliage passes through an array of color changes, from blue-green with streaks of pink in mid summer to a radiant kaleidoscope of copper, pink, beige, and mahogany hues in fall. The ornamental, fluffy silver seed heads add to the show that persists for months, making this grass an excellent choice for fall color and the winter landscape.

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Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Carousel little blue stem
  • Botanical Name

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel' PP20948
  • Type

    Perennial
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    ‘Carousel’ is an advanced selection developed by Don Boehm, owner of Boehm’s Garden Center in Rushville, Illinois.

  • Bloom Time

    Late summer

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Late summer
  • Size

    30" tall by 30" wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    3-9
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Adaptable to many soil types, but prefers sandy soils without too much organic matter.
  • Moisture

    Very drought tolerant and preferes well-drained soils.
  • Disease & Pests

    Extremely low maintenance.
  • Landscape Use

    Borders, foundations, mass plantings, matrix plantings, naturalized gardens, commercial plantings
  • Propagation

    Divisions, Tissue Culture

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.