Turkey Foot Andropogon gerardii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-dro-POH-gon jer-AR-dee-eye
- Description
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Big bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunch grass in the Poaceae (grass) family native to central and north America and is one of America's prairie grasses. With blue green stems and leaves it reaches up with a tall narrow shape growing 4 to 8 feet tall and just 2 to 3 feet wide.
Although this plant tolerates a wide range of soil types including poor soils, it prefers fertile, well-drained soil and is tolerant of moist soils. This long-lived easy-to-grow ornamental grass spreads by short rhizomes and occasionally by seed. However, it may become floppy if grown in shade, and it is slow to become established. Cutting it back to the ground in the winter will help maintain its attractive appearance. Once established its deep fibrous roots make it resistant to drought. It also tolerates salt and browsing by deer. It can be used at pond margins and along streams.
Ecologists have used this beautiful grass for prairie restorations, naturalizing an area for nesting birds and mammals, meadow gardens and for screening. Plant this grass along borders, in a cottage garden or use it along a slope for erosion control. Its attractive russet orange fall color make it an interesting accent in the landscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blackhawks'
Tall, narrow, dark purple leaves turn black - 'Red October'
Leaves turn red in the fall
- 'Blackhawks'
- 'Blackhawks', 'Red October'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blackhawks'
Tall, narrow, dark purple leaves turn black - 'Red October'
Leaves turn red in the fall
- 'Blackhawks'
- 'Blackhawks', 'Red October'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Andropogon
- Species:
- gerardii
- 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
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Brown/Copper
- 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 with parallel veins turns orange to copper-red in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Pond
- Riparian
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Salt
- Wet Soil