Plant Names
Andropogon gerardi
Big Bluestem
Barbon de Gérard
Synonyms
tall bluestem
turkeyfoot
barbon à épis digités
barbon de Gerard
barbon fourchu
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Period: Jun - Sep
Max Height: 7.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Tolerates drought conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Tolerates drought conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Boreal Plains
- Prairies
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Andropogon gerardi
- Atrytonopsis hianna (Dusted Skipper)
Specialized Bees Supported by Andropogon gerardi
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Agastache foeniculum
Blue Giant-hyssop
Agastache fenouil - Heliopsis helianthoides
False Sunflower
Héliopsis faux-hélianthe - Solidago juncea
Early Goldenrod
Verge d'or jonciforme - Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Sky Blue Aster
Aster azuré - Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver's Root
Véronique de Virginie
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
- Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
- Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: October
- Harvesting indicator:
- Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
- Harvesting:
- Use hand to detach from main stem
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.