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Turfgrass Information

Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem

Full Sun, Native, Warm-Season

Also called “turkey foot” because of its three-pronged flower heads, Big Bluestem is a staple grass of the North American prairie. Its foliage is a green/blue-green during the summer and changes to a rich copper/burgundy in the fall. As a warm season grass, it should be planted in the spring to allow establishment over the summer. Once established, Big Bluestem should need little water or fertilizer for healthy growth.

The second year plants were bigger and starting to look more ornamental, but this grass is relatively slow to get established.


Advertised HeightAdvertised Zone

60-96”

3

YearHeight/Width
Year 1 200760”/20”
Year 2 200866”/20”
Year 3 200973"/32"
DatePictures
Fall 2007Big Bluestem
Feb 2008Big Bluestem
August 2008Big Bluestem
September 2009Andropogon gerardi
November 2009Andropogon gerardii