Question: Are you looking for a low maintenance plant for your garden?

Answer: Check out this new form of native ornamental grass that was developed by Dr. Mary Meyer, Professor at University of Minnesota.

A new form of little bluestem, an ornamental and native grass, is available at many garden centers. The trademark name, Blue Heaven TM refers to the summer foliage color.

Selected after several years of evaluation at the University of Minnesota, Blue Heaven is a great plant for dry, sunny locations. Blue Heaven is a long-lived easy to grow grass and combines well with other perennials. It grows just over 4 feet in height and stands up well through the summer and does not fall over like some grasses. The blue summer foliage changes to dark burgundy and then red in the fall.

Hardy through the U.S., including zone 4, central Minnesota and Maine, Blue Heaven is a good choice for sustainable gardens, because it requires little water after establishment and provides cover for birds and other wildlife. This plant requires little care, other than cutting back in the spring.

Reminder: A new program for 2012 is the “Sampson County Friends of Horticulture.” This program offers monthly “How To” Horticultural Seminars. Please call (910) 592-7161 for more information. Please turn your radio to WCLN 1170AM every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon (that’s lunch time) and listen to the Sampson County Ag Minute segment, which is brought to you by the Sampson County Extension Agricultural Agents. Please call the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Center at (910) 592-7161 with your horticultural questions and to register for any upcoming events.

Be sure to check out the Ask An Expert Widget at sampson.ces.ncsu.edu for any questions you may have.