You can safely cut the plant back if it looks shaggy. Grass, as it may topple over in excessively fertile soil. Once established, but appreciates occasional irrigation during hot, dryįertilizer isn’t a requirement for growing Blackhawks grass,īut you can provide a very light application of a slow-releaseįertilizer at planting time or if growth appears slow. This ornamental grass is drought-tolerant Likely to weaken and fall over as it gets taller.įull sunlight is best for growing Blackhawks, although it The tall grass grows quickly in rich soil but is The new growth will stay bright green in spring but can turn blue-green in summer. The perennial grasses will sprout new growth in early spring. These tall and showy clumps of grass will offer year-round interest with a fresh or different look through the different seasons. Growing Blackhawks Grassīlackhawks bluestem grass thrives in poor soil includingĬlay, sand, or dry conditions. Big bluestem is a very attractive grass that can grow up to 8 feet tall. Gardens, at the back of beds, in mass plantings, or any spot where you canĪppreciate its year-round color and beauty.Īndropogon Blackhawks grass can thrive in poor soil and isįor erosion-prone areas. This versatile ornamental grass is natural for prairie Morphing to green with red tints in summer, and finally ending the season withĭeep purple or lavender-bronze leaves after the first frost in autumn. The colorful foliage is gray or bluish green in spring, Uses for Blackhawks Ornamental Grassīlackhawks bluestem grass is appreciated for its stature and Along with the color, it can produce shelter and food for rabbits, birds, and other animals. If you have a wildlife garden, you definitely want to add this grass to your space. This tall grass can thrive anywhere from a sunny garden to a native rock bed. It has great fall color in the range of gold and pink. Landscape Use You don’t need a prairie to enjoy the beauty of the Big bluestem. In a landscape it can be used as an accent, but it can be aggressive so is not recommended for small spaces. It is a big plant, getting over six feet tall in most situations. Growing this particular cultivar isn’t difficult for gardeners in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9, as this tough plant requires very little care. Big Bluestem is a warm season grass it actively grows during the summer when soil temperatures are warm. No fertilizer is needed.What is Blackhawks grass ( Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’)? It’s a variety of big bluestem prairie grass, which once grew across much of the Midwest – also known as “turkeyfoot grass,” thanks to the interesting shape of the deep burgundy or purple seed heads. Growing Tips – Water well until it’s established, then water infrequently if you want shorter plants, or water a bit more heavily if you prefer taller plants. Do not plant infertile or overly moist soils as they will become taller, develop weaker stems, and topple over in windy conditions. Once established, it readily self-seeds and has a spreading nature with good drought tolerance. When, Where, and How to Plant – Big bluestem prefers average, well-drained soils in full sun plant this grass from seed or plants in spring. Sun Requirements – Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade.Added Benefits – Attracts Beneficial Insects.Mature Height × Spread - 4 to 8 feet × 3 feet.Bloom Period and Seasonal Color - Late summer to early fall green or blue-green stems russet, purple, or bronze blooms.Below is an excerpt from the Illinois Getting Started Garden Guide which can help you get started with this astoundingly special plant for your garden. Big bluestem grass is an essential plant for a prairie bird garden as it provides cover for more than twenty species of songbirds and nesting sites and seeds for sparrows, wrens, and meadowlarks. Cattle have been quite destructive to this native species: because the animals are not migratory, they will decimate areas of grass to the root level. Big bluestem is known as the “king of the prairie” and is one of the top four native grass species that colonized most of the prairies of central North America. However, it may become floppy if grown in shade, and it is. It has interesting seed heads that branch into three parts that resemble a turkey’s foot, hence its nickname. This long-lived easy-to-grow ornamental grass spreads by short rhizomes and occasionally by seed. Big bluestem grass or Turkey Foot Grass is a perennial bunchgrass with greenish-blue stems that can grow between 4 to 8 feet tall.
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