Species big blue stem
Tall vertical  green grass blades and red seed head on top.

big blue stem

Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind'

Big blue stem (Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind') is an amazing plant species because of its unique characteristics. Its upright structure and deep blue foliage make it stand out among other plants in the landscape. The seed heads appear in the fall and sway in the wind, giving it its unique name. Its large blue leaves give it an air of distinction and attract a variety of pollinators to one's garden. It's drought tolerant and has a low maintenance requirement. As an added bonus, this species is a great choice for erosion prevention and streambank stabilization. Big blue stem is both attractive and hardy, making it an excellent choice for any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Purplish-red Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky

Fruits:

blue,red,brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Big Blue Stem, or Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind', should be watered regularly but with less frequency than other plants. Allow the soil to become dry to the touch before watering. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply approximately every 10-14 days during the growing season, April through October. During the cooler months, water sparingly, if at all. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering; always water the soil directly at the base of the plant.

sunlight

Big blue stem (Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind') is a plant species that prefers full sun exposure. During the summer months, the plant should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It's important to note that this plant species can tolerate some light shade, particularly in the afternoon hours. During the winter months, the plant can get by with a few hours of direct sunlight each day, as the sunlight will be more intense and brighter in the winter.

pruning

Big Blue Stem (Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind') should be pruned in late winter or early spring. When pruning, aim to remove only about 1/3 of the stems at a time. Avoid pruning too much, as this could disrupt plant growth and slow down flowering. Take care to prune in the correct locations, cutting down the stems that are the tallest or most out of shape. This will help keep the compact, architectural form of Big Blue Stem.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Big blue stem typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

grass The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind' is in late August or early September.

Starts Flowering

Big blue stem typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

grass The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind' is in late August or early September.

Hardiness Map