{"product_id":"andropogon-gerardii-big-bluestem","title":"Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe signature tallgrass prairie species and a proven soil-stabilizing workhorse, big bluestem brings a dramatic late-summer height surge and a distinctive turkey-foot seed head to any large-scale restoration or naturalistic screen planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAndropogon gerardii, commonly known as Big Bluestem, is a tall, warm-season perennial grass native to the prairies of North America. Often referred to as the \"King of the Prairie,\" it can grow up to 8 feet tall and features blue-green stems that turn reddish-bronze in fall. The plant produces distinctive, three-parted seed heads resembling a turkey's foot, which appear in late summer. Big Bluestem is a cornerstone species for prairie restoration and soil conservation projects due to its extensive root system, which stabilizes soil and prevents erosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrairie and tallgrass meadow restoration - a foundational species for the ecosystem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoil conservation and erosion control projects, owing to its extensive root system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaturalistic screen or accent plantings in mixed native landscapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWildlife habitat plantings - shelter and food for songbirds, larval host for several skipper butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForage\/pasture component plantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wide range - dry to moist, sandy, clay, or shallow soils with low fertility\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e High\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - A tallgrass prairie species adapted to dry-to-mesic soils; not tolerant of sustained flooding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rapid - dramatic height increase in late summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Graminoid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-8 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red, Orange, Purple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color \/ Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple, Red; August-October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e FAC (Facultative) - Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Occurs from the short grass prairie region to the Atlantic Ocean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry-Mesic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intolerant - becomes floppy and slow to establish in shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Deep (36 in.+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Larval host, supports birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding rate for a solid stand:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 1\/4 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft., or about 10 lb. per acre.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"50 Cell 2\" Plug","offer_id":48941176946759,"sku":"AND-GER 50CELL","price":82.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Seed","offer_id":48941176979527,"sku":"S-ANDGER","price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/onriverbank.jpg?v=1791212625","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/andropogon-gerardii-big-bluestem","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}