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Big Bluestem

Andropogon Gerardii

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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 4–9Type Grass, PerennialClimate Temperate
Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — named for their resemblance to a bird's foot; green and red flowers in the garden, image 67

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low
USDA zones
4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Grass, Perennial
Family
Poaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (103)

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — This hardy species thrives in full sun with deep roots adapting to a wide range of soils; grass / perennial, image 82
Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — grass / perennial with green and red blooms; emerge in late summer and lend a unique texture and visual, image 77
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) — emerge in late summer and lend a unique texture and visual interest to the garden; ideal for naturalistic landscapes
Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — named for their resemblance to a bird's foot; green and red flowers in the garden
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) — grass / perennial with green and red blooms; emerge in late summer and lend a unique texture and visual interest to the
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) — 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) — A quintessential North American prairie plant
Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii) — combined with its adaptability to a variety of soil conditions; its clumping growth habit can span 2 to 3 feet wide
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Andropogon Gerardii
Photographs by 3 contributors

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