Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem) | Native Plants of ...
Big Bluestem is the star component of the "Big Four" native grass species that characterize the tallgrass prairies of central North America (the other three are Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans], Switchgrass [Panicum virgatum], and Little Bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium]).
The Spruce
thespruce.com › big-bluestem-plant-profile-4845878
Big Bluestem Is a Native Grass That Grows in Tough Conditions
August 28, 2023 - What is the difference between big bluestem and little bluestem? Apart from the size difference, you can tell the two grasses apart by their seeds, which look quite different. From July to October, big bluestem sports large inflorescences that become three-part seed heads.
Videos
What is the seeding rate for a solid stand of (single species) Big Bluestem?
The seeding rate for Big Bluestem for a solid stand (of a single species) is:
• 1/4 lb. per 1000 sq. ft., or
• 10 lb. per acre. When seeding two or more grasses together, divide the seeding rate for each species by the number of species to be planted...
• 1/4 lb. per 1000 sq. ft., or
• 10 lb. per acre. When seeding two or more grasses together, divide the seeding rate for each species by the number of species to be planted...
prairienursery.com
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Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii | Prairie Nursery
I purchased big bluestem grass here in 2020 and still have 1/8 lb. Do the seeds still have some viability?
The long-term viability of prairie grass seed depends upon the storage conditions. The temperature and moisture/humidity of the storage conditions are very important in maintaining viability across seasons. With warm season grasses, if the seed storage has...
prairienursery.com
prairienursery.com › big-bluestem-andropogon-gerardii.html
Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii | Prairie Nursery
Does Big Bluestem spread aggressively? I wanted to use it to create a border, but i don't want it taking over.
Big Bluestem is a good plant choice for a border/screen. As with all native grasses, it does self-seed readily when well sited. If you are trying to maintain a neat border of single-spaced plants, you'll probably need to remove seedlings once a year. Also...
prairienursery.com
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Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii | Prairie Nursery
Ontario Native Plants
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Big Bluestem - Shop - Ontario Native Plants
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species of plant
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Andropogon_gerardi
Andropogon gerardi - Wikipedia
June 10, 2025 - Andropogon gerardi, commonly known as big bluestem, is a species of tall grass native to much of the Great Plains and grassland regions of central and eastern North America. It is also known as tall bluestem, bluejoint, and turkeyfoot. Andropogon gerardi was formally named in 1792 by Fulgenzio ...
Gardenia
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Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Elegant tall flowering stems rise in late summer above the foliage bearing glossy, deep purple, 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 once established, requires very little care, is virtually disease and pest-free, and provides months of interest.
Prairie Nursery
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Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii | Prairie Nursery
February 8, 2021 - Yes, Big Bluestem can be grown as an ornamental. Big Bluestem is bunching/clump-forming grass with deep fibrous roots, and the base will gradually widen and become a large specimen. It does take a few years for a plant to grow to the size that is shown in the photos.
Prairieflora
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Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem is one of the main grasses of the tall grass prairie. It is a tall, showy and very attractive bunch grass. The seedheads look like a "turkey foot" and turn a beautiful rusty colour in the fall.
Northern Wildflowers
northernwildflowers.ca › products › big-bluestem
Big Bluestem – Northern Wildflowers
Big Bluestem
Perennial
6-7 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms June- September
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 140 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a well-known prairie staple that plays an extremely important role in native prairie ecosystems. This grass actively grows during the summer when soil temperatures are warm. This is a big grass variety, often growing over six feet tall in most situations.
It can be used as a landscape accent, but it can be aggressive and is not recommended for small spaces. Its beautiful fall colours display in the range of gold and pink. Bi
Price $10.00
USDA
fs.usda.gov › wildflowers › plant-of-the-week › andropogon_gerardii.shtml
Big Bluestem
Big bluestem is a warm-season grass ... for periodic fire. This species is large and robust as bluestems go, with mature plants commonly reaching 6 to 8 feet in height....
Proven Winners
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Blackhawks - Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii | Proven Winners
Proven Winners - Blackhawks - Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii plant details, information and resources.
Growit Buildit
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Big Bluestem – A Big Grass With Big Benefits – GrowIt BuildIT
July 25, 2025 - Big Bluestem grows best in full sun and slightly moist soil. It can take dry conditions also, but may not be as tall and vigorous. It is quite versatile in that it can grow in almost any soil type, from clay to loam, and even slightly sandy. This was the most dominant prairie grass for it size and ...
Gardening Know How
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Learn About Growing Big Bluestem Grass | Gardening Know How
June 14, 2021 - The stems are flat and have a bluish coloring at the base of the plant. In July through October the grass sports 3 to 6 foot (1-2 m.) tall inflorescences that become three part seed heads that resemble turkey feet.
Hoffman Nursery
hoffmannursery.com › plants › details › andropogon-gerardii
Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem information
Big Bluestem, a native grass of the Midwestern prairie, has been rediscovered as a useful and beautiful landscape plant. Drought tolerant and easy to maintain, it is a natural choice for prairie, meadow and naturalistic plantings. But, Andropogon gerardii is also great as a background or accent in mixed plantings.
Illinois Wildflowers
illinoiswildflowers.info › grasses › plants › bigblue.htm
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Big Bluestem is a bunchgrass as tight tufts of culms are produced from these rhizomes. Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a fertile loam or clay-loam. Other kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing sand and gravel. This is an easy grass to grow, although it can be aggressive because of its large size...
Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › gardening › plant-dictionary › perennial › big-bluestem
How to Plant and Grow Big Bluestem
April 9, 2024 - Big bluestem may be planted whenever the ground is workable, and the plants are available. Plant at the depth grown in the pots. Native plants show growth later than some garden plants, so garden centers may not have them in the spring or early summer. This plant forms clumps and does self-sow when without competition from other prairie plants.
Missouri Botanical Garden
missouribotanicalgarden.org › PlantFinder › PlantFinderDetails.aspx
Andropogon gerardi - Plant Finder
Andropogon gerardii, commonly called big bluestem grass, is a tall, Missouri native, perennial, warm season grass that was the dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large parts of the Midwest. It may be grown as an ornamental grass because of its attractive foliage which changes color seasonally, its good architectural height and its interesting flower/seed heads.
Arbor Valley Nursery
arborvalleynursery.com › big-bluestem
Big Bluestem - Plant Guide
... Watering Needs: Water regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Botanical Pronunciation: an-dro-PO-gon jer-AR-dee-eye ... Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches 6-8 ft.
North Carolina Extension Gardener
plants.ces.ncsu.edu › plants › andropogon-gerardii
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem, Bluestem, Broomsedge, Turkey Foot) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Big bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunch grass in the Poaceae (grass) family native to central and north America and is one of America's prairie grasses.
Native Plant Trust
gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org › species › andropogon › gerardii
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem): Go Botany
big bluestem. Andropogon gerardii Vitman var. chrysocomus (Nash) Fern. • CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.