Plant Min Zone: 3a
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Late Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Maroon, Red
Berry / Fruit Color: Maroon, Red
Spring Foliage Color: Dark Green
Summer Foliage Color: Reddish Green, Purple
Fall Foliage Color: Purplish Black
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 4' - 6'
Width: 1.5' - 2'
Growth Rate: Medium
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Ornamental Grass to Ground in Early Spring before New Growth: Has Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5, Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Survives Severe Drought, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Bright Winter Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Fine Texture, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: None
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks') is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions but tends to flop in rich moist soils. This ornamantal grass is a tall, Kansas native, perennial, warm season grass that dominates much of the tall grass prairie extending into the Flint Hills. In fact, Big bluestem, Indiangrass, Little bluestem, and Switchgrass comprise 75% of the species in this ecosystem. It may be grown as an ornamental grass because of its attractive foliage which changes color seasonally along with its good architectural height and its interesting flower/seed heads. Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks' is primarily distinguished from the species by its slightly shorter height, deeper green summer foliage and blackish-purple fall color. An excellent garden performer with a clumping form and upright habit. Leaves emerge deep green with red highlights in spring, remain green through much of the summer, change to purplish-red to purple by late summer and finally turn a vivid scarlet red after first fall frost. Burgundy purple flowers bloom in August. Plants typically grow to 4-5' tall.