Little bluestem for birds in Tennessee
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos. Native to Tennessee, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- Native status
- Native in Tennessee
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Tennessee birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 30
Growing conditions in Tennessee
Humid subtropical, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River floodplain.
Hot, humid summers in the valleys.
Tennessee birds that use Little bluestem
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (7)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak
Winter visitors (10)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Moderate winters; high elevations in the Smokies hold northern species year-round.
Nesting season it supports in Tennessee
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Little bluestem:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
Native plants to pair with Little bluestem in Tennessee
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Little bluestem native to Tennessee?
Yes. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is recorded as native in Tennessee. Tennessee spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Little bluestem attract in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, Little bluestem supports 40 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Little bluestem help nesting birds in Tennessee?
30 of those birds nest in Tennessee: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Little bluestem in Tennessee?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Tennessee during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Tennessee
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.