Splitbeard Bluestem
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Andropogon ternarius
Commonly known as Splitbeard Bluestem and Silver Bluestem.
A warm-season, clump-forming, perennial grass species native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico from the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain south through peninsular Florida and west to Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico. It can be found growing in prairies, fields, pastures, woodland openings, disturbed areas, and along roadsides.
Mature clumps will reach 3-4' tall and spread by short rhizomes to fill a 1-2' area. The narrow, linear foliage will reach 1-3' long and tends to arch and curl down towards the base of the plant. The top half to two thirds of the upright stems are lined with paired rames (groups of spikelets) that bloom from late summer into fall. After the seeds mature and the rames shatter, dense tufts of white to tawny colored hairs reaching up to 0.3" long are left behind, adding to the seasonal interest of this plant. The stems and leaves also turn shades of reddish to coppery brown in the fall. This plant provides food and shelter for small mammals and birds.
Best grown in full sun and well-draining, sandy or silty loams. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions including dry, clayey, gravely, and poor soils. Tolerant of drought once established. Hardy in Zones 6-10. May be hardy in Zone 5 with a protected site. Cut back in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth.
Height: 3’-4'
Spread: 1’-2'
Bloom: August-November
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low-Medium
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas, Southeastern U.S.
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.
