Schizachyrium scoparium Ha Ha Tonka

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Ha Ha Tonka' is a magnificent grass that has only recently been grown, but is still not very widespread. This variety is adorned with fluffy hairs, elegantly highlighting its blue-green stems striated with blood-red. Its tall habit and resistance to dry soils and sun make it an ideal choice for dry beds and patios. However, avoid heavy and overly rich soils

Schizachyrium scoparium, also known as Little Blue stem, is a grass native to the great plains of North America, a highly competitive environment where many species of Poaceae (the scientific name for the grass family) coexist. It is sometimes still encountered under the name Andropogon scoparius.

The variety 'Ha Ha Tonka' is a beautiful recent selection from Cassian Schmidt (Hermannshof Garden, Germany), which won a bronze medal at the 2019 Plantarium exhibition. It has gorgeous glaucous green leaves streaked with blood red. The overall effect is further enhanced and highlighted by the presence of straight and silky hairs along the stems, reminiscent of certain woodrushes (e.g. Luzula nivea). The effect is striking in sunny beds. As soon as temperatures start to drop, towards the end of summer, the leaves gradually take on magnificent purplish hues, then more coppery tones. This phenomenon is more pronounced when nights are cool and days are warm. The plant flowers between September and November, emitting slender upright beige spikes, which later turn brownish-purple. The well-established clump will reach about 1.2m (4ft) high in flower, and about 50cm (20in) in diameter.

Due to its origins, Schizachyrium 'Ha Ha Tonka' can endure summer droughts, and cold and poor soils at the same time. Like many dry soil grasses, it will die back quickly (or at best, only live for a few years) if you plant it in soil that is too rich or too heavy. Pay close attention to soil drainage when planting - you can add gravel when planting, and place the rootball on a small mound to raise it.

It will work wonders as a foreground plant in sunny dry borders, rock gardens, or in pots, alongside other grasses that thrive in similar conditions such as Panicum virgatum 'Kulsenmoor', Amethyst fescue, or the unpronounceable Helictotrichon sempervirens. Perennials such as Gillenia trifoliata, with its splendid autumn colours, Helianthemum 'Hartswood Ruby', or 'Achillea 'Summerwine' with their assorted flowers, will complement these scenes.