Andropogon gerardii
Common name: Big Bluestem
Known commonly as Big Bluestem, but to those of us that are prairie nuts it will always be “turkey-foot” because of the bird-like track it makes when you slap the seed head on sandy ground. It is a very tall grass, the tallest native grass in the area, reaching maximum heights of 8 feet. The stems turn a blue/purple color in late summer and into fall which can lend a dramatic effect to a prairie or garden planting. Big Bluestem matures rather quickly, even from seed, with full height reached in two seasons if they are well cared for. It is a lovely addition to most gardens in full to part sun and can tolerate most soils save the very dry. Just remember that this one gets very big, but it grows just fine if crowded.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes
Soil type
Dry Mesic, Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry), Moist Mesic
Light exposure
Full Sun
Bloom period
Summer
Urban environment
Harsh Exposure Tolerant, Road-side/Salt Tolerant
Habitat
Prairie Grasslands
Growth form
Colonizing / Spreading, Rhizomatous/stoloniferous
Growth rate
Fast
Flower color
Yellow
Fall color
Russet Orange Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 3 Feet
- Mature width
- 2 Feet
- Max height
- 8 Feet
- Max width
- 3 Feet
Additional information
Great for Screening/Border Plantings Loved by birds
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