Andropogon Gerardii 1 Gal

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii

WNC Native with stunning blue-green stems and floofy white little seed heads that aid wildlife on these warm season perennial bunchgrasses. Very low maintenance, these plants are a great choice for poor soils, anywhere there are issues with erosion, or locations where other plants just don't seem to do well. They will thrive in moist soils, but can handle drier soils once established. Big Bluestem grasses are very helpful for wildlife:

🐦Birds eat the seeds and use the plants for nesting material, including Cardinals, Chickadees, Jays, and Finches.
🐝Native bees use the plants as nesting material.
🦋Butterfly & Moth host plants, including at least 9 different species of cute little Skippers here in NC.
🦌Deer - these plants can handle what deer have to dish out.

Visually, they are most impressive when massed or planted in drifts interspersed with other sturdy plants such as the taller growing Echinaceas and Helianthus. Use at the edges of ponds, meadows, native gardens, rain gardens, as screens, urban gardens, or any place you don't really want to have to bother with mowing!

Once the kings of the Prairie, Big Bluestem grasses were a favorite of the migratory bison. These sturdy and resilient plants are long lived and deserve to be used more in gardens. 

For best appearance, cut the plants down to 3" tall in late winter to early spring, after wildlife have finished with them.

Full sun.
Zone 5-8, cold hardy down to -20F.

💚Plant Nerd: Andropogon gerardii are C4 plants, which means that they are highly adapted for thriving in hot conditions. They are ideal for xeriscape / water wise gardening / drought-mindful gardening.