Andropogon Species, Broomsedge Bluestem, Broom-Sedge, Whiskey Grass, Yellow Bluestem

Andropogonvirginicus

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Andropogon (an-dro-POH-gon)
Species
virginicus (vir-JIN-ih-kus)
Synonym
Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus
Anatherum virginicum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
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)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials
Water Requirements
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

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

Huntington, Arkansas

Morrilton, Arkansas

Bartow, Florida

Augusta, Georgia

Benton, Kentucky

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Scranton, South Carolina

Arlington, Texas

Santa Fe, Texas

Troy, Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
4
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
Scranton, SC (Zone 8a) | January 2011 | positive

My mother used the leaves and stems from dried broom sedge to dye eggs for Easter. Just place a handfull of the leaves and stems in a po...Read More

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

Broomsedge, Broomsedge Bluestem, Whisky Grass, Yellow Bluestem Andropogon virginicus is native to Texas and other States.

F
Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) | August 2004 | neutral

It is one of the first plants to invade an abandoned field. It likes an acidic soil and is a good indicator plant. It dries as a straw af...Read More

M
Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) | July 2004 | neutral

Many species of Andropogon are found in Florida, but most are known as Broomsedge, and most are very similar. My gr. grandmother swept h...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | June 2004 | neutral

Can be invasive here in the South, but livestock will graze it, so it provides a pasture source.

It is neither a sedge or ...Read More

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