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COMMON NAME: Big Bluestem
BOTANICAL NAME: Andropogon gerardii
USDA ZONE: 3-9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL CONDITIONS: Prefers medium to dry soils and tolerates most soil types and moisture.
HABIT: 4-6’ x 2-3’
FEATURES: Big Bluestem is a dominate plant in the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Its tall stature, blue hued fall color, and signature “turkey foot” seed structure make it easy to identify and help it stand out in the landscape. It is best suited for the back of the garden and grows best when crowded by other plants that help support its tall structure. As a warm season grass, Big Bluestem is later to green up in the spring and puts on most of its growth in the summer.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Big Bluestem is a hallmark of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that once covered most of Iowa. Recent cultivar introductions like ‘Blackhawks’ and ‘Red October’ have improved its color and form and made it a great option for garden spaces that need a vertical element. Big Bluestem deserves more love like the smaller stature native grasses have received as it provides drama through its color and form. It is a great plant for fall and winter interest when planting for a 4-season garden.
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