Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Andropogon
- Species:
- Andropogon gerardii
- USDA Symbol:
- ANGE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 244 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, bronze
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- orange, red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thrives with periodic fire which suppresses woody encroachment and stimulates growth; fire-adapted but not obligate.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in prairies and open grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy; germination occurs in warm conditions.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold moist stratified for 14 days or damp stratified by mixing with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampening in a plastic bag or container, stored for 3 to 4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F. Application of gibberellic acid has also been used.
Establishment: Germination and growth are affected by greenhouse temperature and amount and intensity of daytime solar. Seedlings haven't germinated well or thrived in wet, cloudy weather or when night temperatures dip below 65 F. Post-transplant seedlings have experienced slow growth and up to 20% mortality, possibly due to low light and temperatures during winter, media too moist, or root damage from transplanting or fungus gnats.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)