Big Bluestem

Andropogon Gerardii

Design with this plant

Overview

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a robust, perennial grass reaching 4-6 ft. A quintessential North American prairie plant, it showcases purplish flower spikes and bluish-green foliage which turns a striking reddish-bronze in fall. This hardy species thrives in full sun with deep roots adapting to a wide range of soils. Ideal for naturalistic landscapes, it offers excellent erosion control and is a magnificent accent in mixed borders.

Sun FullWater LowZones 4–9Climate Temperate

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a robust, perennial grass reaching 4-6 ft

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Low
USDA zones: 4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Poaceae
Climate: Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (83)

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Big Bluestem requires full sun exposure and can tolerate both dry and moist environments; scientifically known as

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — green and red flowers in the garden; this robust species thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 9, making it well-suited for a

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Minimal maintenance is needed, though occasional trimming can promote denser growth; though it shows a preference for

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — grass / perennial for full; moreover, this grass boasts ecological benefits, attracting local wildlife and supporting

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — A quintessential North American prairie plant; with exceptional specimens soaring up to 8 feet when conditions, image 54

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a robust, perennial grass reaching 4-6 ft; this hardy species thrives in, image 53

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — it showcases purplish flower spikes and bluish-green foliage which turns a striking reddish-bronze in fall, image 55

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — This hardy species thrives in full sun with deep roots adapting to a wide range of soils; grass / perennial, image 56

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Ideal for naturalistic landscapes; it offers excellent erosion control and is a magnificent accent in mixed, image 57

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — it offers excellent erosion control and is a magnificent accent in mixed borders; and bronze tones in the fall, image 58

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — scientifically known as Andropogon gerardii; big Bluestem requires full sun exposure and can tolerate both dry, image 59

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — it typically reaches 4 to 6 feet; named for their resemblance to a bird's foot, image 62

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — is a perennial grass indigenous to North America's tallgrass prairies; big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a, image 60

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — This robust species thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 9, making it well-suited for a wide range of landscapes, image 61

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — The distinct 'turkey foot' seed heads; combined with its adaptability to a variety of soil conditions, image 66

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — named for their resemblance to a bird's foot; green and red flowers in the garden, image 67

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — and bronze tones in the fall; it typically reaches 4 to 6 feet, image 65

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — Its clumping growth habit can span 2 to 3 feet wide; it showcases purplish flower spikes and bluish-green, image 64

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — with exceptional specimens soaring up to 8 feet when conditions are favorable; minimal maintenance is needed, image 63

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — make it a versatile choice for prairie restorations; or as a dramatic backdrop in ornamental beds.<br><br>For, image 70

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — emerge in late summer and lend a unique texture and visual interest to the garden; ideal for naturalistic, image 68

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — or as a dramatic backdrop in ornamental beds.<br><br>For a successful installation; grass / perennial for full, image 71

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — combined with its adaptability to a variety of soil conditions; its clumping growth habit can span 2 to 3 feet, image 69

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — green and red flowers in the garden; this robust species thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 9, making it, image 76

Related plants

June Grass (Koeleria Macrantha) — June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass featuring fine-textured foliage

June Grass

Koeleria Macrantha

Full · Zones 5–10

Gold Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold') — Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold', or Gold Japanese Forest Grass, is a vibrant, golden-yellow ornamental

Gold Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold'

Half · Zones 5–9

Silver Arrow Miscanthus (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder') — is a striking ornamental grass standing up to 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Silver Arrow Miscanthus

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Full · Zones 5–9

Florida Gamagrass (Tripsacum Floridanum) — commonly known as Florida Gamagrass

Florida Gamagrass

Tripsacum Floridanum

Full · Zones 5–10

'Blue Paradise' Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) — ‘Blue Paradise’ Little Bluestem

'Blue Paradise' Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Full

Boulder Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Boulder Blue') — Boulder Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Boulder Blue') is a striking ornamental grass with vibrant steel-blue foliage

Boulder Blue Fescue

Festuca 'Boulder Blue'

Full · Zones 8–10