USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3b-9b   Find Your Zone

Plant Type:  Ornamental Grass

Flower Color:  Purple-Red

Flower Size:  Small, in thin vertical seed heads

Flowering Period:  Late Summer through Fall

Bloom Type:  Finger-like flower cluster

Fragrant Flowers: -

Foliage Color:  Deep Green turning to Dark Purple; Near Black in fall

Fragrant Foliage:  -

Berries:  -

Berry Color:  -

Attracts:  Visual Attention, Birds

Resistances:  Air Pollution, Black Walnut, Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Erosion, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbits

Dubbed the "monarch of the prairie," Big Bluestem Grass was once the dominant component of the American tallgrass prairie. 'Blackhawks' is one of the best cultivars from master breeder Brent Horvah, selected for its outstanding color, vigor, and sturdy stems. The arching mound of foliage to 3 feet wide on this dark and handsome selection emerges deep green, changing to dark purple and then to nearly black in fall! In late summer, tall, dark purple stems to 5 feet high are topped with distinctive 3-parted purple-red blooms resembling a turkey's foot, a favorite of florists, and the birds will enjoy the seeds. It is the butterfly caterpillar host for Dusted Skipper and Delaware Skipper. Being a highly adaptable North American native, Blackhawks Big Bluestem is drought tolerant and easy to grow in most average to low fertility soils and six or more hours of sunlight daily.

Blackhawks Big Bluestem Grass is exceptionally easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil of average to even poor fertility, including clay soils. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant. Six or more hours of sunlight daily is suggested for the darkest foliage color and best overall performance. Cut plants back to just above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.

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