Bluestem Andropogon virginicus
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bluestem:
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-dro-POH-gon ver-JIN-ih-kus
- Description
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Beard Grass has green leaves and stems turning dark red-purple then bright orange in late fall. This plant is not recommended for a formal garden and does not tolerate heavy mulch however, it is long-lived. It is a vigorous plant that while it provides excellent ground cover it is not grazed by livestock or wildlife but is good used in managed rural areas.
Habitat: Var. decipiens: Savannas, flatwoods, maritime wet grasslands, disturbed pinelands, other wetlands; var. virginicus: old fields, roadbanks, disturbed sites
- 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:
- virginicus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. & Central America, Caribbean to Venezuela
- 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.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tolerant of poor soil (sand, clay) and drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from October to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Description:
- The flower inflorescence appears in September, turns bright orange in fall, and is attractively silver when back lit.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves and stems turns dark red-purple then bright orange in late fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Andropogon virginicus has green leaves and stems turns dark red-purple then bright orange in late fall.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
