Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardi
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-dro-POH-gon jer-AR-dee-eye
- Description
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Andropogon gerardii is a warm-season grass, long-lived, and spreads by short rhizomes. This is recognized as Illinois official prairie grass. However, it may become floppy if grown in shade, and it is slow to become established. Although this plant tolerates a wide range of soil types (sand, clay), it prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Ecologists have used this beautiful grass for prairie restorations, naturalizing an area for nesting birds and mammals, meadow gardens and for screening.
Compare this Plant to: Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Andropogon
- Species:
- gerardi
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. & Central America
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Andropogon supports Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) larvae which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. This plant also supports various Skipper larvae. This plant is a larval host for butterflies.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought tolerant, tolerates a wide range of soil (clay, sand)
- Edibility:
- non-edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Erect
- Open
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- The flower's inflorescence appears from July to October, opens red and darkens with age, not very showy, and is forked like a turkey's foot.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has 3/8 in. green to blue-green leaves turns orange to copper-red in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Salt
