Big Bluestem Grass
Andropogon gerardii
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
Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, 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 Required
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Bloom PeriodEarly Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 4-10
Tallgrass prairie used to cover vast swaths of the Midwest, where the sky was big and the buffalo roamed. Those prairies don't exist like they used to, but when they did - Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii) was the king! It was the dominant Grass that grew there, providing breathtaking seasonal color change and food and protection for wildlife.
Also known as Turkey Foot Grass because of the forked seed heads that resemble their nickname, Bluestem sends up yellowish-reddish-orange seed heads from July to October. Columnar in form, Big Bluestem quickly grows to its full-sized 4-6 feet in height while remaining a space-saving 2-3 feet in width.
Just make sure you plant it where you and your neighbors can enjoy watching it go from gray to blue-green in spring, to green with red tinges in summer and finally to reddish bronze with lavender tones in autumn after frost. These native grasses are wonderfully adaptable throughout a wide swath of the US, Bluestem does fantastic throughout the USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10!
Planting and Application:
Big Bluestem makes a striking background for a naturalized border. It is the backbone of a wildflower and pollinator garden. It easily fits into a contemporary garden scheme, too. We know that you will love this tall stiff grass and its architectural form so much you will be looking for all the creative ways you can use it in your garden! Wildlife-friendly and easy to care for, Bluestem is perfect for the sun garden environment and provides winter interest!
Thankfully you don't need a vast prairie to enjoy the gifts of Big Bluestem - a neglected little corner of your yard will do. We'll bet, though, that you'll want to plant it in more prominent places than that corner! Try mixing Big Bluestem with its little brother Little Bluestem and its many colorful cousins for a mixed grass border or modern prairie garden or Rock Garden! Dress these grasses up or down to suit your landscape style however you'd like!
- Tall Erect Blue-Green Foliage
- Fantastic Fall Colors
- Reddish/Orange/Yellow Forked Seed Heads - Resemble a Turkey's Foot
- Hardy Native Prairie Warm-Season Grass
- Backdrops, Borders, Vertical Interest, Winter Interest & Wildlife-Friendly
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Big Bluestem is a warm-season ornamental native grass and thrives in dry, infertile soil where most other plants would shrivel. Mature plants have deep roots that survive drought and even fire. A true hardy native, it does just fine in ordinary garden soil and even wet soil, too! It also tolerates salt and browsing by deer! Any well-drained soil environment with moderate to low moisture suits these grasses just fine! Each spring, bundle up your grass and prune it back, but have patience - warm-season grasses take their time emerging in the spring.
- Strongest Stems in Full Sun
- Low Moisture Needs Once Established
- Widely Adaptable to All Well-Drained Soil Types
- Easy to Grow & Low Maintenance
- Prune Back Clumps in Early Spring
Hardy, easy-care, and native! This kaleidoscope of color will light up your garden all year. Order your Big Bluestem Grass from Nature Hills Nursery today!
