Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii 'Nondhwr'
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Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem - #2 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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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+ | $24.99 |
✓ 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 Highlights
Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Fall Color
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer
Growing Zones 4-8
Architectural Space-Saver Karls Cousin® Big Bluestem!
- Tall, Upright Columnar Growth
- Bold Handsome Look
- Verticle Structure & Texture
- Blue-Green Foliage Turns Purple
- Easy Care & Low Maintenance
- Amazing Fall Color
- Long-Lasting Showy Blooms
- Drought Tolerant - Very Hardy Native Variety
- Deer Resistant
- Erosion Control
- Four Season Interest Warm-Season Grass
Archive upright and narrow, columnar structure for your garden with Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Karl's Cousin® 'Nondhwr')!
A space-saving ornamental grass that fits anywhere, Karl's Cousin® will command verticle lines and an overall formal and very attractive shape.
Emerging a cool blue-green and turning into more purple-tinged blades, Karl's Cousin® is known for showy fall plumes and glossy, deeply saturated leaves. The stems, leaves, and flowers take on shades of purplish blue throughout the growing season.
With no serious pest or disease problems, this is an easy-breezy addition to any size or style landscape! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4-8, this no-flop warm-season ornamental perennial grass won't leave you feeling down all growing season long and beyond!
How to Use Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem In The Landscape
These tall, narrow plants draw the eye as exclamation points and are ideal for adding the coveted purple-blue color and vertical definition to your landscape. Talk about an easy designer's touch!
A single plant in a large ornamental container as an upright focal point will easily elevate your garden. Because this grass is very controlled and low maintenance, it is quite often used in commercial landscapes where you most often find it planted in mass or in narrow spaces as a fill plant.
Add a few in mixed borders and country gardens for an easy focal point throughout the landscape, making any design instantly feels fresh and modern.
Planted en masse in sunny drifts will provide waves of color throughout the growing season, plus winter interest too! Excellent for erosion control, slopes and prairie plantings!
#ProPlantTips For Care
Only taking up a foot of garden space, Karl's Cousin®'s foliage gets about 3-4 feet tall, then add the flowers and the plants can get to 6 or 7 feet in height! Standing tall like a soldier in the landscape! Preferring the full sun for the best coloration and sturdy growth.
Any well-drained soil will make warm-season Karl's Cousin® feel right at home. Needing average to lower moisture once established, This grass has extreme hardiness in heat and cold, Bluestem is a supremely easy-to-grow specimen. Drought tolerant once established it's nearly impossible to kill once acclimated.
Best pruned just before spring, cut back to a few inches above the soil to prepare for the spring growth and clean out debris from the center to prevent rot.
With its perpetual motion, formal plumes, and lively growth, Karl's Cousin® is sure to keep you entertained throughout the seasons. You'll be glad you gave Nature Hills a call as soon as these are back in stock!
