Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' PP26,283
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Most ornamental grasses turn tan in fall. Red October goes scarlet. This native selection of Andropogon gerardii, a seedling of 'Indian Warrior', starts the season deep green with red-tipped blades, deepens to burgundy as fall comes on, and turns candy-apple red after the first frost. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in full sun, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 9, and reaches full size in its second season.
Big bluestem was the dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie, and this one keeps the species' upright habit and deep root system in a plant narrow enough for a border. The seedheads split into three parts at the top of the stem, which is where the old name turkeyfoot comes from, and on this selection they come in red too.
Songbirds feed on the seed through winter, and big bluestem supports several skipper caterpillars. Leave it standing until late winter, then cut back to four to six inches before new growth starts.
This is a prairie grass and it wants lean conditions. Full sun, average to poor soil, and no fertilizer. Rich ground and regular water make it grow soft and lean over. The root system runs deep enough that it handles drought once established. Deer leave it alone.
Height 4'- 6' Spread 2'- 3'
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9
Lowest Temperatures -40°F to -30°F
Full sun - more than 6 hours of direct sun per day
AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY
