Big Bluestems for Big Fall Color in the Midwest

This native prairie grass turns from green to red for long-lasting late-season interest

With the across-the-board distribution of all native prairie grasses ( native to most of North America , include the Midwest ) , big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii , Zones 3–9 ) go along not only to maintain its popularity in our prairie restorations , wildlife garden , and meadow mixes , but some option selections are also finding a star part in the home landscape . In the last 10 years it ’s been exciting to see the evolution of heavy bluestem as it ’s become more mainstream . It contributes significant ornamental pastime and utmost enduringness .

Big bluestem at a glance

prefer full - sun situations , heavy Andropogon furcatus has an vertical stature . It typically reaches 5 to 8 foot marvellous and 2 to 3 feet all-inclusive , although there are inadequate miscellany . The gray blue – green summertime foliation is topped by purplish , tassel - same flush in declension . ejaculate heads are ramify in three parts , which gives this sess its other mutual name of turkey ’s foot . Drought tolerant once established , this tough grass also stick out deer ( but not heavy skimming ! ) , drought , eroding , ironical soil , black walnut tree toxicity , melody defilement , and alkaline soil . That ’s a long leaning of lastingness for a beautiful Gunter Wilhelm Grass that is equally effective in turgid planting or grown as an stress . Over twenty - four coinage of songbird search this locoweed for cover , with many extra insects , small mammals , and birds using it for home ground . Too much weewee , shade , or fertiliser can in reality cause this Mary Jane to get top heavy and fall through over in summer . Some benign carelessness is acceptable .

Fall color is a distinctive feature

Big Andropogon furcatus typically suffer some degree of enough fall colour that begins in summertime and intensifies in autumn as the evening become cooler . This colouration has been described as ranging between cherry-red bronze to gross orange with trace of pink . Fall people of colour is variable with the straight species , but there are some awing motley that have been selected for a very intense and lengthy colour part . The four varieties featured below were all introduced by gardener and plant breeder Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennials in Hebron , Illinois . Brent has a keen heart for variability , and these selections are all stellar garden campaigner . regard the value of these grasses for texture , scale , movement , free fall and winter pastime , and very intense recent - season gloss .

‘Red Bull’ big bluestem

A. gerardii‘Red Bull ’ , Zones 3–9

One of Horvath ’s early pick , ‘ Red Bull ’ can achieve heights well over 7 foot tall and would be the tallest big bluestem variety of those listed in this article . The coloration of ‘ Red Bull ’ intensifies from a deep pink in summertime to a intermediate red in other October in the Midwest .

‘Dancing Wind’ big bluestem

A. gerardii‘Dancing jazz ’ , Zones 3–9

This cultivar is a favorite of mine , and I think ‘ Dancing Wind ’ has the longest lasting , most intense red fall foliage of all big bluestems . Reaching 6 feet tall , this gently arc selection is quite inflexible but sways in the breeze . It looks smashing in masses or as an stress , and the intense ruby leafage hold out into winter , even after multiple hard frosts .

‘Red October’ big bluestem

A. gerardii‘Red October ’ , Zones 3–9

Reaching about 6 feet tall , this popular selection is get it on for its consistently narrow-minded substance abuse with summer hint of Red River on the foliage that escalate to a beam burgundy in fall . This variety literally glows in late summertime with gracious backlighting . But do note that the fall vividness can vary wide from year to year .

‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem

A. gerardii‘Blackhawks ’ , Zones 3–9

This selection has become the must - have variety of big Andropogon furcatus over the last couple of years . uprise from ‘ Red October ’ , it sits at about 5 feet tall . cryptic green spring foliation evolve hints of purpleness in summertime that darken to an intensely dismal purpleness ( not red ! ) in evenfall , which can read visually as about contraband . This grass has limitless voltage for lasting appeal in the garden and hits its stride in the later summer months .

For more on regional fall interest , check out the following article :

— Mark Dwyer , former director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville , Wisconsin , operate Landscape Prescriptions by MD .

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