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Bushy beardgrass Andropogon glomeratus

Previously known as:

  • Andropogon glaucopsis
  • Andropogon glomeratus var. glomeratus
  • Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsuitior
  • Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus
Phonetic Spelling
an-dro-POH-gon glaw-mer-AY-tuss
Description

Bush Bluestem is a tufting, sturdy, warm-season grass that may grow 2 to 6 feet in height. The foliage has a reddish tint. Interesting, beard-like flowers appear in fall. This plant prefers moist to damp sites and is not drought tolerant.

Habitat: Swamps, wet savannas, pine flatwoods, bogs, fens, depression ponds, interdune swales and ponds, wet disturbed sites

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#orange leaves#cover plant#winter interest#fall interest#ornamental grass#small mammals#moist soil#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#copper leaves#skipper butterflies#native garden#cutting garden#native ornamental grass#dried arrangements#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common wood-nymph butterfly#perennial#food source winter#perennial grass#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#orange leaves#cover plant#winter interest#fall interest#ornamental grass#small mammals#moist soil#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#copper leaves#skipper butterflies#native garden#cutting garden#native ornamental grass#dried arrangements#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common wood-nymph butterfly#perennial#food source winter#perennial grass#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Andropogon
    Species:
    glomeratus
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern coastal USA west to TX.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    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. Provides excellent cover year-round. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer, moist and damp soil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from October to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    This plant has interesting beard-like flowers that bloom from September to October. The inflorescence has densely clustered, bushy bracts at top of stems. The inflorescence is good in cut or dried arrangements.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has 3/8 in. wide green leaves in summer which turns copper-orange in fall and retains color well into winter. Foliage has a reddish tint.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Orange
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Fruit stalks start silvery green and transition to an orangy brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Winter Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Pollution
    Wet Soil