Andropogon gerardii is a bold upright warm season native grass known for its rich autumnal coloring and adaptability to tough conditions. Its vertical blue green blades mature into bronze, burgundy, and deep purple hues in fall while its fluffy brush like seed heads add height and texture. This grass plays a critical role in prairie ecosystems and supports diverse wildlife while offering architectural drama to garden designs.
Height & Spread: 48 - 72 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant of a wide range of soils including clay, loam, and sandy soils
Watering Needs: Low; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed by deer due to coarse foliage
Native Status
Andropogon gerardii is native to much of North America, especially the tallgrass prairie regions of the Midwest and Great Plains. It is an essential native species for restoring natural meadows and supporting pollinators and birds.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Host plant for grass skippers such as Dakota Skipper and Leonard’s Skipper whose larvae feed on the foliage.
Bees
- Attracts native solitary bees that forage among the inflorescences and use dry stems as overwintering shelters.
Birds
- Provides nesting material and seed food for sparrows, finches, and meadowlarks while dense clumps offer cover and protection.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports predatory insects such as ground beetles and ladybugs that shelter in basal foliage and feed on pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 24 - 36 in apart to allow upright structure to fully develop and form mass plantings.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for prairie style plantings, naturalized meadows, sunny borders, and as a vertical accent or seasonal screen in drought tolerant designs.
Companion Plants
- Liatris pycnostachya (Prairie Blazing Star) - Tall purple spikes echo the vertical form of Big Bluestem and draw monarch butterflies in summer.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - A shorter cousin that complements Big Bluestem with similar texture and color shifts in fall.
- Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - Softly reflexed purple petals add grace and pollinator appeal to prairie settings.
- Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) - Golden daisies provide vibrant contrast and bloom throughout the grass's summer growth phase.
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) - Brilliant orange blooms draw butterflies and provide habitat in dry sunny meadows.