![]() This is usually once or twice a week in the summer. Grasses grown in pots dry out more frequently than those in the ground and should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. Even established plants should be watered weekly during hot, dry spells to keep these grasses looking fresh. During the first two growing seasons, water this grass regularly to establish a strong root system. ![]() Once established, it will only need occasional supplemental water in the summer. It tends to go dormant without moisture, so the best appearance is preserved with weekly watering, especially those plants in containers.įountain grass is considered drought tolerant. The plant needs supplemental water in early establishment stages, but thereafter is quite self-sufficient except in severe drought. Water new plants regularly over the summer to establish drought tolerance. Add a layer of organic compost around the root zone to conserve moisture. Backfill the hole with native soil and water thoroughly to fill in any air gaps around the roots. Set the crowns slightly above the soil surface to prevent crown rot. Find a sunny location with well-draining soil, and dig a hole just wide enough for the root ball. They do not tolerate standing water or very alkaline soils. They adapt to various soil conditions, including dry, poor, clay, gritty, sandy, and average soils. These grasses create beautiful waves of color and movement when planted in drifts for a meadow or prairie garden.īluestem grasses perform best in full sun, with at least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, although big bluestem can tolerate partial shade. Various cultivars with outstanding color and hardiness qualities are now commonly available in garden centers. These are warm-season grasses that do most of their growing during the warm summer months and go dormant in late fall to winter. They form arching, upright clumps that flower in the summer. Otherwise, the two species have very similar cultural requirements and are easy to grow.īluestem grasses are native prairie grasses that are often used for erosion control and restoration plantings. Big bluestem varieties can reach 8 feet high and spread by rhizomes. As the name implies, little bluestem is much smaller than big bluestem and only reaches between 1 and 3 feet high. No fertilizer is needed.In the nursery trade, bluestem grasses consist mostly of little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) and big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii ). Growing Tips – Water well until it’s established, then water infrequently if you want shorter plants, or water a bit more heavily if you prefer taller plants. Do not plant infertile or overly moist soils as they will become taller, develop weaker stems, and topple over in windy conditions. Once established, it readily self-seeds and has a spreading nature with good drought tolerance. When, Where, and How to Plant – Big bluestem prefers average, well-drained soils in full sun plant this grass from seed or plants in spring. Sun Requirements – Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade.Added Benefits – Attracts Beneficial Insects.Mature Height × Spread - 4 to 8 feet × 3 feet.Bloom Period and Seasonal Color - Late summer to early fall green or blue-green stems russet, purple, or bronze blooms.Below is an excerpt from the Illinois Getting Started Garden Guide which can help you get started with this astoundingly special plant for your garden. Big bluestem grass is an essential plant for a prairie bird garden as it provides cover for more than twenty species of songbirds and nesting sites and seeds for sparrows, wrens, and meadowlarks. ![]() Cattle have been quite destructive to this native species: because the animals are not migratory, they will decimate areas of grass to the root level. Big bluestem is known as the “king of the prairie” and is one of the top four native grass species that colonized most of the prairies of central North America. It has interesting seed heads that branch into three parts that resemble a turkey’s foot, hence its nickname. ![]() Big bluestem grass or Turkey Foot Grass is a perennial bunchgrass with greenish-blue stems that can grow between 4 to 8 feet tall.
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