GrassNative
Andropogon gerardii
Big Bluestem
‘Red October’
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a tall, perennial warm-season grass native to North American prairies. It typically grows 4 to 8 feet high, forming dense clumps with distinctive blue-green stems that turn reddish-bronze in the fall. Big Bluestem thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils, though it is highly adaptable and drought-tolerant once established. This grass is an important component of prairie ecosystems, providing habitat and food for wildlife. It requires moderate watering during establishment but needs little supplemental water after that, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Native range
- Midwest United StatesNative here
- Bloom time
- August – October
- Garden location
- West Driveway Bed