Big Blue Stem (Andropogon gerardii)
[an-dro-PO-gon jer-AR-dee-eye]

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Poaceae Family
A clumping warm season grass native to this area; mainstay of the native Illinois prairie.

Andropogon gerardii, commonly known as big bluestem, is a warm-season native grass that is a keystone species of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. This robust, clump-forming perennial reaches 4-8 feet tall, with distinctive three-pronged flower spikes that resemble a turkey's foot, giving rise to the common name "turkeyfoot." In spring, the foliage emerges blueish-green, deepening to rich green over the growing season, then turning shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn. Its deep, fibrous root system makes it highly drought-tolerant and an excellent choice for erosion control, and as a keystone species it provides food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and small mammals throughout the tallgrass prairie.

Pros

  • Keystone native prairie grass supporting pollinators, birds, and skipper butterfly larvae
  • Deep, fibrous roots provide excellent drought tolerance and erosion control
  • Distinctive "turkeyfoot" seed heads and fall color add multi-season interest
  • Deer resistant and adaptable to poor, dry soils

Cons

  • Can flop or lodge, especially in overly rich soil
  • Self-seeds readily; can be too aggressive for small garden spaces
  • Slow to establish in its first year, typical of warm-season grasses
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 4 - 8 feet tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Erosion Control, Fall Color, Full Sun, Grasses, Illinois Native, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil
Bloom Period July to August
Flower Color Purple
Foliage Color Blueish-green
Animals That Use It

Seeds:
 

Absolutely Easy Garden Recipes that include Big Blue Stem
 

Plant Club Content
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Blackhawks Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!