Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a tall, warm-season native grass that once dominated the Midwest prairies. Upright clumps of flattened foliage emerge gray to blue-green, mature to green with red hues, and turn reddish bronze with lavender tones after frost.

In late summer, flowering stalks rise above the foliage with three-parted, finger-like purplish flower clusters. This North American native, including Georgia, is a host plant for Common Wood-Nymph and various skipper butterflies.

Growing details

• Plant type: Warm-season ornamental grass
• Origin: North America; Georgia native
• Mature size: 4–6 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide
• Spacing: Approximately 2.5 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 5–8
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil
• Flowers: Purplish, finger-like clusters in late summer
• Fall foliage: Reddish bronze with lavender tones after frost
• Additional trait: Excellent drought tolerance once established

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass should be cut to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear.

Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, borders, wildlife gardens, naturalized areas, native gardens, rock gardens, or spacious containers. Pair with milkweed, tickseed, or black-eyed Susan for contrasting flowers and foliage.

Image credits: T.Voekler, Andropogon gerardii shrub, CC BY-SA 3.0; Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, Andropogon gerardii (21092730152), CC BY-SA 2.0; cassi saari, Tallgrass prairie flora Andropogon gerardii, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, Andropogon gerardii (3904160434), CC BY-SA 2.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.