Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii 'Nondhwr'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Karl's Cousin® Big Bluestem - #2 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.
Click Here to learn more
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
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
-
Brand
-
Botanical Name
-
Growing Zones
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateMedium
-
Fall Color
-
Pruning Time
-
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!
