![]() ![]() The foliage will start dying in autumn and will transform into vivid fiery copper tones as the season progresses. ![]() Big bluestem blooms in late summer to fall and it forms small blue, coppery, or reddish plumes or spikelets that resemble turkey feet. The new growth will stay bright green in spring but can turn blue-green in summer. The perennial grasses will sprout new growth in early spring. These tall and showy clumps of grass will offer year-round interest with a fresh or different look through the different seasons. ![]() Low Maintenance, drought tolerant, attracts butterflies, suitable for meadows, ponds, walkways, and it is a forage grass for horses and cattleīig bluestem is a very attractive grass that can grow up to 8 feet tall. Plant Facts Scientific nameīlue, Green, Gold/Yellow, Orange, or Reddish depending on the season In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at this useful grass variety and we share some great tips on how to properly care for big bluestem grass. It is best to check with your local authorities to ensure you can grow this plant. Gardeners should take note that Big Bluestem is invasive in some locations. The bright foliage color and rich texture of these showy grasses also make them popular in ornamental gardens and they are often used to create borders, privacy screens, or as a backdrop plant for shorter flowering species. These tall grasses are often used in agricultural lands because they are a good food source for horses, cattle, and other wild animals like birds. Paul.Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii) is the perfect ornamental grass to grow if you are looking for something tall, showy, and suited for warmer temperatures or dryer regions. She works in the horticulture industry and gardens in South St. This article by Debbie Lonnee originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of Northern Gardener. It is a long-lived plant and can be used in naturalization areas and in restoring prairies. The straight species has not been used much in home gardens because of its large size and coarse habit, but the breeding improvements made in Blackhawks make it a perfect addition to your perennial gardens. It has sometimes been called the “monarch of the prairie.” It is also used as nesting material for birds and mammals. The flowers can take the mature height of the plant up to close to 8 feet in moist soils but it generally stays shorter in dry soils.īig bluestem is native to Minnesota and is an important component of the tallgrass prairies. Some say they resemble turkey feet, which is another common name for big bluestem. The flowers are purplish, three-parted, fingerlike clusters up to 4 inches long. The flowering stems rise above the foliage in late summer. No major insect pests or diseases affect Blackhawks. It will not tolerate consistently wet sites, however. Blackhawks can tolerate poor soils and dry sites. It requires a full-sun site (a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day) and is not fussy when it comes to soils. It is perfect for the back of the perennial border, whether as an individual plant or in a group of plants to create screening or add drama.īlackhawks is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 so it works for all northern gardeners. This is a big plant, eventually maturing at a height of 5 feet and more with the flowers and seed heads. By autumn, the purple foliage is so deep it looks almost black. Throughout the summer, those purple to red or almost bronze hues make their way throughout the foliage. The long, strappy leaves emerge green in spring but quickly start to take on some purple hues, even in June. ![]() The foliage of ‘Blackhawks’ evolves throughout the growing season. This new cultivar, developed by plantsman Brent Horvath at Intrinsic Perennials in Chicago, is a much-improved version of the native big bluestem. While little bluestem is a great choice, northern gardeners should really consider using big bluestem as well. The Minnesota-bred cultivar Little Heaven ™is one of several little bluestem options. Much breeding work over the past decade or more on this plant has resulted in its smaller size and more refined appearance. Many northern gardeners have cultivars of little bluestem ( S chizachyrium scopar ium) in their gardens. ‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem also adds exceptional fall (and summer) colors to the perennial garden. Ornamental grasses add height and texture to our gardens. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |