Blackhawks Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks'
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, and Drought resistant
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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NativeYes
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, OR
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 3-9
Majestic Vertical Accent Blackhawks Big Bluestem
- Incredible Color and Form
- Tall and Narrow Ornamental Grass
- Lush Clump of Dark Purple Leaves by Late Summer
- Nearly Black Fall Color
- Purple Seed Heads Raised High Above the Bladed Foliage
- Easy-Care Warm-Season Grass
- Widely Adapted
- Tolerates Heat and Humidity
- Drought Tolerant
- Deer Don't Prefer the Taste
- Tolerant of Juglone from Black Walnut trees
If you are in search of excitement for your landscape, try this incredible selection of native Bluestem grass. With a very useful columnar habit, Blackhawks Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks') makes an enormous impact on your landscape.
Enjoy an arching display of bold foliage that fountains up and out from the base. They'll stay within a narrow footprint, but create a lush look.
The narrow blades emerge dark green and deepen to a reddish-purple by mid-summer. For fall color, those blades turn nearly black.
As the growing season progresses, these eye-catching plants also grow tall stems. You'll recognize the dark "turkey foot" branching seed heads formed at the top.
Watch the breeze play through the bold foliage and catch the seed heads in a twirling dance. It's easy to add the elements of movement and sound to your landscape with these incredible plants.
Tallgrass prairies are an important biome that plays a big role in the American garden vernacular. Blackhawks Big Bluestem is evocative of those wide-open, gently rolling areas. Recreate the appeal in your landscape.
Use them as a fantastic vertical accent to punctuate special design elements throughout your yard. Call it the "Prince" of your yard, it certainly deserves it.
Order Blackhawks Big Bluestem from the expert growers at Nature Hills. This desirable variety is in high demand by professional designers across the country. Let it shine for you!
How to Use Blackhawks Big Bluestem in the Landscape
Consider these big grasses an architectural feature in your landscape. Use them to draw attention to entrances, fire pits, seating areas and garden sculpture.
They are very effective on an elevated terrace or berm behind your entertainment area. Stagger the planting line and space them 15 inches apart on center. They'll grow together and touch.
Use a straight row and precise spacing, or curve the line and vary the spacing from 15 to 24 inches apart for a natural look.
Have a flat yard?
Don't be afraid to bring in soil and use a small earth mover to create hills and dells. Place your stamp on your property.
Add thoughtfully placed boulders, and leverage Blackhawks Big Bluestem to easily soften and ground them. All you'll need to do is plant them a bit offset to the base of the rock.
If you can, plant them on the west side of your seating area. You'll gain some welcome shade and enjoy a spectacular display as they truly glow in the setting sun.
Need to keep things easy? No problem! Simply include a series of them repeated along the length of your sunny garden borders or raised planting beds.
Use a single plant by the entrance to your outdoor entertainment area. Add a second one to flank either side of your garden gate.
Nature Hills offers many Prairie plants and several extra-special cultivars of the native species. Use Blackhawks Big Bluestem as an anchor plant in a recreated, small-scale Tallgrass Prairie.
Partner with some of our special Coneflowers, Blanket Flower Gaillardias, and Black-Eyed Susans. Include an evergreen Juniper tree and a rounded Mugo Pine or Bird's Nest Spruce nearby.
Enjoy the process of gardening! How proud you'll be of your space.
#ProPlantTips for Care
These are easy-care plants that will tolerate low water conditions once they are established in your soil. Baby them their first season with a moderate amount of water on a regular basis.
Protect your investment in extended periods of drought. Add supplemental water to keep your plants stress-free.
Full sun is best for these warm-season grasses. Give them all day, blazing sunlight, or at least 6 hours of sunlight a day and have patience while they get growing in the spring, then watch them explode into action for the summer and fall! Grow Big Bluestem in average, well-drained soils.
Once a year in early spring, you'll prune them back to a 4-inch height. Wear gloves to protect your hands, and consider using a garden saw to speed up the process. Grab a large handful of the foliage, and make back-and-forth passes.
Bag or bundle the stalks. Or, cut the smaller pieces and use them as mulch in your Victory Garden.
Go big and bold this season. Blackhawks Big Bluestem makes it easy. Order this dynamic cultivar from NatureHills.com today and reap the rewards of this incredible specimen.
