Andropogon
This large cosmopolitan genus gleans its name from the Greek word pogon, or beard, alluding to the lustrous hairs that blanket the inflorescences. Closely associated with Schizachyrium, 13 clump-forming warm season Andropogon hail from North America. Many of the garden-worthy Beardgrass are often drought tolerant, and generally characterized by attractive, easily grown sturdy demeanors, late summer blooms plus stunning autumn color.
Historically renowned as the sod our ancestors broke their backs busting, Big Bluestem is the most widespread of all the prairie grasses. Its regal and wild color show makes it a must in our garden. Growing to great size, the stand’s lush, blue-blushed summer greenery becomes a burgundy and copper glory at first frost. Soaring three-pronged red seed heads beg its other common name, Turkeyfoot.
Reliable, heat tolerant and sturdy, Andropogon gerardii thrives in poorly drained clay to dry sandy soils, and easily transitions the outskirts of your garden into the wild meadow beyond.
Blooms late August–October
Size: 5' 0" – 8' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
Prismatic three season appeal and a steely attitude are the hallmark of this long-lived Intrinsic Perennial Gardens introduction. Tall, straight, sturdy stems plus upright arching blades emerge in glaucous bluish green tones, which transition to a greener coloration with maroon mottling as the weather warms, while breathtaking bronze, burgundy, smoky purple and mulled pink herald autumn. Well suited for mixed borders, meadow-style gardens and naturalized areas, drought-tolerant ‘Holy Smoke’ helps control erosion, delivers distinctive 3-parted blooms enjoyed by birds as well as flower arrangers and looks most effective en masse, especially alongside other native chums like Echinacea ‘Ruby Star’ or Liatris ligulistylis. (pp#33,929)
Blooms August–October
Size: 4' 0" – 6' 0" high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.
Zone 3b/4.
Andropogon gerardii ‘Karl′s Cousin®’ (G-0604)
Each $11.75
Spotted by green-roof expert Dave MacKenzie while driving in the wilds of northern Michigan, this relatively new nonflopping native soldiers a close-knit erect posture that mimics Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster′s straight-backed habit, and thus earns its name. An exceptional narrow column of broad, tapered green-blue leaves plus valiant stalks elevates the airy tribranched red inflorescences. Suffused with eye-catching cozy plum and wine shades as the season progresses, resilient ‘Karl′s Cousin’ promotes nearly year-round vertical elements, appreciates lean well-drained soil and can be planted sentinel-like or massed in mixed borders plus readily nudged into tight nooks.
Blooms July–October
Size: 6' 0" – 7' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
Spotted near Crowley, TX by John Snowden, acclaimed grass expert and Bluestem Nursery founder, this American native’s unwavering fortitude belies its graceful lush-looking silhouette. Thick, straight bluish mauve-hued stalks supporting narrow, 3-pronged rubescent inflorescences emerge from large, upright ¼ in. wide powder-blue blades, which broadcast reddish purple, dusky-pink, tangerine and copper tones in September. A carefree color-rich candidate for dry sunny locales, ‘Lord Snowden’ can be massed or planted as a specimen, and associated with Astrantia ‘White Giant’ and Gaura ‘So White’.
Blooms August–November
Size: 5' 0" – 7' 0" high x 4' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 3.
Andropogon gerardii ‘Rain Dance’ (G-0584)
Each $11.75
‘Rain Dance’s calling card is the medley of red, maroon and scarlet hues radiating from its versatile workhorse persona. Burgundy-tipped deep green leaves unleash numerous rubescent stems topped with upright, prismatic reddish purple bloom spikes plus scarlet pollen sacs. Favored by songbirds, flower arrangers and plant aficionados, the long-lasting inflorescences sashay above a stalwart, loosely arranged clump that turns completely red when cooler weather arrives, and in tandem they bestow a gorgeous richly hued fall display. (pp#26,284)
Blooms August–October
Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 3.
This recent Intrinsic Perennial Garden introduction is quickly earning kudos for its spectacular shades of red and long-lived amenable character. August brings cardinal-red accents to lush dark green blades that define a substantial straight-up clump, while unique 3-branched inflorescences with bright red pollen sacs roost above. Boasting fiery scarlet-red and purple hues by the first frost, aptly named ‘Red October’ furnishes welcome cover for nesting birds and makes a galvanizing addition to a mixed planting, meadow garden or naturalized space. (PPAF)
Blooms July–October
Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 3.
A more refined, compact form of the variable southeastern native, this winning, tough-as-nails cultivar was recently selected by North Carolina Arboretum Curator Terry Dalton. Initially spotted at his fifth-generation farm near Black Mountain, N.C., its upright, glaucous blue-green base looks similar to both Andropogon virginicus and Schizachyrium scoparium, though its pearlescent floral display is singular. Green flowering stalks develop maroon hues and slim stems, which jut out, affording bird-friendly, tuft-like spikelets with sparkling silvery white hairs plus a wondrous glimmering halo. Ideal for a well-drained, midborder position, Split Bluestem’s tidy, low growing habit hosts purple, copper and red fall leaves and tackles drought, but sulks in overly wet soil.
Blooms mid-August–October
Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 15" – 18" wide.
Hardy to zone 6.
