Blackhawks Big Bluestem
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Blackhawks Big Bluestem - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
Nature Hills Container Size by Volume
Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.
| Young Plants to 18 Months | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2"x2"x3" | Ranges from | .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume |
| 4.5" Container | Equal to | .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume |
| Sprinter Pot | Equal to | .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume |
| 4" Container | Ranges from | .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume |
| 6" Container | Equal to | 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume |
| 1 Quart | Equal to | 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume |
| 5.5" Container | Equal to | 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x5" | Ranges from | .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x6" | Ranges from | 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x9" | Ranges from | 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x10" | Ranges from | 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2 Quart | Equal to | 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume |
| #1 Container | Ranges from | 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume |
| 5"x5"x12" | Equal to | 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 2 - 4 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #2 Container | Ranges from | 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume |
| #3 Container | Ranges from | 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 3 - 5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #5 Container | Ranges from | 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume |
| #6 Container | Ranges from | 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume |
| #7 Container | Ranges from | 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume |
Plant Highlights
Blackhawks Big Bluestem highlights at a glance!
Plant Highlights
Plant Highlights
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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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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Fall
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Photos Provided ByProven Winners, Inc - www.provenwinners.com
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.
