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Grass Like

Andropogon gerardii

big blue stem

Densely tufted perennial grass, producing upright clumps of linear, blue-green leaves to 30cm long, purple-tinted in autumn. Strong, upright stems 2m tall bearing racemes about 10cm long of purple-red spikelets appear during autumn

Other common names

beard grass
shepherd's beard

Synonyms

Andropogon furcatus

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Sand

Loam

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Andropogon can be annual or perennial grasses, with linear leaves and simple or branched racemes of small flowers, often with conspicuous awns, in summer or autumn
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, sharply-drained, preferably sandy soil in full sun. Will not tolerate excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed in a cold frame in spring, propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old stems to the ground in early spring before growth begins

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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