Andropogon Species, Big Blue Stem, Bluestem Grass, Tall Bluestem Turkey-Foot Grass

Andropogongerardii

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Andropogon (an-dro-POH-gon)
Species
gerardii (jer-AR-dee-eye)
Synonym
Andropogon furcatus
Andropogon tennesseensis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Fuchsia (red-purple)
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Denver, Colorado

Aurora, Illinois

Batavia, Illinois

Hinsdale, Illinois

Saint Marys, Kansas

Murray, Kentucky

Stanchfield, Minnesota

Springfield, Missouri

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Nashville, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Lampasas, Texas

New Ulm, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Appleton, Wisconsin

Westfield, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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H
Fayetteville, PA (Zone 6b) | August 2016 | positive

Relatively under-appreciated native prairie grass, although I'm happy to see that the PA Turnpike commission has been planting it, and ot...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | December 2013 | positive

Big Bluestem is one of the major grasses of the Midwestern prairie and of some of the native meadow in the Eastern US. It is used a lot i...Read More

N
Stanchfield, MN | April 2010 | positive

The Big Bluestem is one of THE Prairie grasses. Central, South and Southwest Minnesota once had some of the most extensive Bluestem Prair...Read More

A
San Antonio, TX (Zone 9a) | May 2009 | positive

Grows in limestone soils and limestone river gravel. Can tolerate relatively high pH.

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2006 | neutral

Big Bluestem, Turkeyfoot Andropogon gerardii is native to Texas and other States.

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions. Put...Read More

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