- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 4 - 6 Feet
- Mature Spread 4 - 6 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
When planning a landscape, it’s easy to overlook ornamental grasses like Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii). But home gardeners should look again. This ornamental grass from American Beauties Native Plants grows quickly and fills the garden with interest all year round. In summer, the bluish-green blades rise to nearly 6 feet high, so this grass can act as a screen or border, or just look cool in front of a wall or fence.
Of course, since it has strong roots, it’s also an excellent plant for controlling erosion, especially on rocky slopes. Plant en masse for the full effect in fall and winter, when the seed heads dry to a reddish shade. Cut some for indoor dried arrangements. The easy-care grass is drought tolerant, attracts birds and butterflies and turns deer off. It’s about as good as it gets.
Big Bluestem Grass Care
Plant Big Bluestem grass in full sun for optimal growth and color. Don’t worry too much about soil or watering. It can handle poor and dry soil, as long as water drains and does not pool. Despite that, it will grow fast, so be sure to consider its mature, upright height when selecting a spot. Once established, your grass gets by with little water.
When the pretty seed heads appear in fall, leave them for birds and winter color. In late winter, mow or shear the clump of stems to nearly ground level. Avoid cutting it while in its summer growth phase. There is no need to fertilize the grass.
Big Bluestem Grass Spacing
For mass plantings and borders, space your Big Bluestem grass about 2 to 3 feet apart, depending on the effect you want. Each clump needs some room for its seed heads to sway in the breeze.
Big Bluestem Grass Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Orange, Red |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
| Common Name: Big Bluestem Grass |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: ANDROPOGON GERARDII |
- SKU:
- 1231013191-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations