Create Your Garden

Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ (Big Bluestem)

Big Blue Stem 'Blackhawks', Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks', Turkeyfoot 'Blackhawks', Turkey Foot 'Blackhawks'

Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks', Big Blue Stem 'Blackhawks', Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks', Ornamental Grass
Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks', Big Blue Stem 'Blackhawks', Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks', Ornamental Grass
Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks', Big Blue Stem 'Blackhawks', Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks', Ornamental Grass

Appealing in most seasons, Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ (Big Bluestem) is a warm season perennial grass forming an upright clump of stems with flattened leaves which emerge deep green to dark purple in spring and deepen to near black. Flowering stems rise in late summer above the foliage bearing purplish 3-parted, finger-like flower clusters, resembling turkey feet (hence the common name). Perfect for providing height and color to the garden, Big Bluestem is drought tolerant, requires very little care, is virtually disease and pest free and provides months of interest. This long-lived architectural grass has a variety of uses, including screening, naturalizing, restoring prairies, and nesting materials for birds and mammals.

  • Grows in a dense clump up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 1-2 ft. across (30-60 cm). Freely self-seeds when happy.
  • Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including dry soils. Lean to average soils are best, as too much fertility will cause the plants to be more open and weak in habit.
  • Excellent choice for drought-prone gardens, this architectural grass is perfect for the back of the borders, prairie plantings or banks and slopes for erosion control.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Common names Bluestem, Big Bluestem
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Recommended Companion Plants

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (Yarrow)
Allium ‘Millenium’ (Ornamental Allium)
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Common names Bluestem, Big Bluestem
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ (Big Bluestem) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ (Big Bluestem) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone