Scientific Name:
Andropogon gerardii
Pronunciation:
an-dro-POH-gon jer-AR-dee-eye
Common Name:
big bluestem grass
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Leaves linear, up to 60cm long x 1-1.5cm wide, leaf hairs (especially at base and around the auricles/ ligules), colours change from green to red tinges to red-bronze in winter.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Mexico, North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Erosion control, Perennial border, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green, Dark-red
Colour in Fall:
Dark-red, Bronze
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire, Serrulate
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Green-yellow, Red
Flower Time at Peak:
Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Purple, Red
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy, Persistent
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red, Brown
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Cut back in March
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (GRB) GRass Bed : cv. Blackhawks - dead?