Big Bluestem 'Red October'
- Shipping Available
Andropogon gerardii 'Red October'
Big Bluestem 'Red October' is a cultivar of Big Bluestem that offers foliage 4-6 feet tall that changes color with the seasons. In spring, fresh leaves emerge in deep green with red highlights. In summer they are bright green, then transition to a purplish-red by late summer before finally becoming a vivid scarlet after the first fall frost. Burgundy-red, turkey-foot shaped seed heads bloom in August and persist into winter. Its foliage provides cover for small animals and nesting sites for birds. Birds will also eat its seeds, and butterflies appreciate its nectar.
'Red October' is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. While it is tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions, it produces the most growth in moist, fertile soils. However, it retains better stability and is less likely to topple in dryish, infertile soils. This grass develops an extensive root system and is somewhat slow to establish, but, once established, has excellent drought tolerance, is easy to maintain, and can provide erosion control. Cut stems to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear.
Height: 4'-6'
Spread: 2'-3'
Bloom: September-February
Light: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water: Low,-Medium
Zone: 4-9
Origin: North America (Cultivar)
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
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.
