A dazzling beauty of a North American native grass, the 'Rain Dance' Big Bluestem features foliage in a dizzying array of green, red, scarlet, and maroon shades on a loosely upright 3-foot wide clump with gracefully wide, arching foliage blades 4 to 6 feet high. The leaves emerge rich blue-green and develop flame-like red tops spreading down the blades as the season progresses. As cooler temperatures arrive in fall, every blade on the plant becomes a rich maroon, contrasting beautifully with the silvery flowers that refract the sunlight. Adding further appeal are the three-pronged, turkey-foot-shaped, rich red seed heads up to 4 inches long perched atop stems in varying red tones. From August to frost, the seeds open to flowers that dance attractively in the slightest breeze. Cut stems in winter are excellent for use in dried flower arrangements. A tough, self-sufficient, and adaptable grass for full sun to part shade, wet or dry soil (when established), is salt tolerant, and the deer don't touch it!

Growing 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, the Rain Dance Big Bluestem is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces or groupings, drifts or hedges where space allows. Because it tolerates flooding, it's an excellent choice for rain gardens. It's great for naturalizing, and its salt tolerance makes it a fine choice for coastal areas. Combines beautifully with Rudbeckia daisies and coneflowers and is a fine addition to ornamental grass gardens, native gardens, bird gardens, and prairie gardens.