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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
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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.
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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?

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