Big Blue Stem (Andropogon gerardii)
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Deciduous Perennial in the Poaceae Family | |||||||||||||||
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Available May 9
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A clumping warm season grass native to this area; mainstay of the native Illinois prairie. |
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Andropogon gerardii, commonly known as big bluestem, is a warm-season native grass that is a keystone species of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. This robust, clump-forming perennial is known for its impressive height, reaching 4-8 feet tall, and its distinctive three-pronged flower spikes that resemble a turkey's foot, giving rise to one of its common names, "turkeyfoot." In spring, the foliage emerges in a blueish-green hue, transitioning to a rich green over the course of the growing season. Come autumn, the leaves put on a stunning display, transforming into shades of red, orange, and purple. Andropogon gerardii thrives in full sun and is highly adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. Its deep, fibrous root system makes it drought-tolerant and an excellent choice for erosion control. As a keystone species, big bluestem plays a vital role in supporting diverse prairie ecosystems, providing food and habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and small mammals. With its impressive stature, colorful foliage, and ecological benefits, Andropogon gerardii is a standout native grass for sustainable landscaping and prairie restoration projects. |
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Plant Data | |||||||||||||||
Mature Size | 4 - 8 feet tall. 18 - 24 inches wide. | ||||||||||||||
Sun Exposure | Full Sun - Full Sun | ||||||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance | - Medium | ||||||||||||||
Zones | 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F) | ||||||||||||||
Tags | Deciduous, Full Sun, Full Sun, Grasses, Illinois Native, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Perennial | ||||||||||||||
Bloom Period | September to February | ||||||||||||||
Flower Color | Purplish-Red | ||||||||||||||
Foliage Color | Blueish-green
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Animals That Use It |
Seeds: |
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More Info from Experts |
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Photos of This with...Little Bluestem |
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Pricing and Availability HistoryClick a label to toggle visibility for that size
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We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
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Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!