Schizachyrium scoparium 'Ha Ha Tonka'
blue stem 'Ha Ha Tonka'
A densely-tufted, deciduous, perennial grass about 1m tall, producing upright clumps of fine-textured, softly-hairy, pale green leaves, some tinted grey-green or red. Racemes of pale green flowers 30cm long, in wispy spikelets, appear during late summer and autumn. The whole plant usually turns colours of red, orange and copper in autumn and winter
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Brown | Red Orange Bronze | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Schizachrium are deciduous, perennial grasses with flat, linear leaves, upright growth and narrowly-branched flower sprays
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in sharply drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Prairie planting
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down old stems and leaves in late winter
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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