Big Bluestem
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Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon gerardii, also known as big bluestem grass, is a tall, perennial, warm-season grass native to Texas. It used to be the dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie that once covered large parts of the Midwest. Big bluestem grass is grown for its attractive foliage, which changes color with the seasons, good architectural height, and interesting flower/seed heads.
This grass has an upright clump of stems with flattened leaves. The leaves start gray to blue-green in spring, turn green with red tinges in summer, and then change to reddish bronze with lavender tones in autumn after frost. Flowering stems rise in late summer above the foliage, bearing purplish 3-parted, finger-like flower clusters that look like turkey feet, hence the additional common name of turkey-foot grass for this species. The total height of this grass can range from 4-8' tall, typically at the taller end in moist soils and the shorter end in dry soils.
Big bluestem grass can grow in average, well-drained soils in full sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions. It grows well in moist, fertile soils and is less likely to fall over in dry, infertile soils. This grass develops a robust root system and is somewhat slow to establish, but once established, it has excellent drought tolerance and is easy to maintain. Cutting the stems to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear is best. In optimal growing conditions, it tends to self-seed freely.
BONAP MAP
Height: 4’-6'
Spread: 2’-3'
Bloom: September-February
Light: Full sun
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Canada to Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
