If you love grasses in bloom, late summer is the perfect time of year. One of my husband’s favorite grasses, big bluestem, is easily found along Ozark roadsides in August. It’s in bloom right now.
Big bluestem is botanically known as Andropogon gerardii. In addition to the common “big bluestem” name, this grass is also referred to as “turkey foot” due to the shape of the seed head of the grass.
Native to Missouri, big bluestem has been referred to by Neil Diboll of Wisconsin’s Prairie Nursery as the “monarch of prairie grasses.” This grass is the tallest of American beard grasses, reaching five to eight feet in height. In fact, big bluestem is very noticeable along roadsides right now because of its height.
Beard grasses have more than 100 species of annual and perennial grasses that grow throughout North America in temperate to tropical areas. Beard grasses grow in clumps, and perennial beard grasses such as big bluestem will grow a larger clump as they age.
Beard grass is known for the silky hairs that grow on the flower spikelets of some species of beard grass. Andropogon comes from the Greek for man, andro, and beard, pogon.
The “flowers” or seed heads of big bluestem appear in late summer. As the inflorescences appear, they turn red and darken with age. With age, these inflorescences also have three distinct parts that open up and resemble an upside-down turkey foot.
Big bluestem is a longlived grass. It will adapt to just about any type of soil. Sun is an essential key to the success of the grass; big bluestem will flop over if shaded. Like many native grasses, big bluestem is also drought tolerant. It can be used for naturalizing, for restoring prairie, for a meadow garden or for screening.
In the garden, big bluestem can be a focal point due to its height and color. The grass has noticeable summer foliage and distinct winter color. Big bluestem can be propagated by seed or division. It is hardy up to zone three.
Big bluestem seed can be found locally through Hamilton Native Outpost, www.hamiltonseed.com.
Questions or comments related to gardening? Contact Joleen at missourigardener@hotmail.com.