Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Soil Type: Sand, Loam, Clay
Height: 3 - 7 feet
Spread: 2 - 3 feet
Blooms: June, July, August, September
Root: Fibrous, Rhizome
Habitat: Prairies, Savannas, Open woodlands, Woodland borders, Wet meadows along rivers
Landscape uses: Pollinator garden, Meadow planting, Naturalization
Complimentary Plants: Yellow Coneflower, New England Aster, Pale Purple Coneflower, Virginia Mountain Mint
Wildlife Value: Several insects feed on this prairie grass Host Plant: Northern Pearly-eye, Common-Wood Nymph, Ottoe Skipper, Cobweb Skipper, Dusted Skipper, Delaware Skipper, Arogos Skipper, and Indian Skipper
Seed Origin: Prairie Moon seed supplier
Germination Code: A, D
Photo credits: #1 by cassi saari, #2 by Matt Lavin, #3 by Tom Koerner/USFWS, #4 by Tom Koerner/USFWS, #4 by Daderot, #5 by T.Voekler
Andropogon gerardii - Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem is a warm season grass that grows during summer when soil temperatures are warm. It is one of the key grasses of Ontario's tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and has long routes, making it drought tolerant. It is a sturdy plant that has great fall color in the range of gold and pink and can remain standing in winter months. This plant will typically grow larger in a garden settiings with less root competition than out in a tallgrass priaire landscape.