Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ at Olbrich Botanical Garden in late fall; photo taken by Olbrich.

Landscape designers are always searching for something unique to add to the gardens they are working on and the Perennial Plant Association 2026 Plant of the Year may be the answer, that is Andropogon gerardii  ‘Blackhawks’.

Big Bluestem is one of the dominant grasses in North America’s once extensive tallgrass prairies. Its leaves and stems provide cover and nesting material for birds and serve as a larval food source for several species of skippers. It will remain a single, dense clump but may reseed in the garden. This species has no major pest or disease problems and requires no maintenance other than cutting back to the ground in late winter. Like all ornamental grasses, it is also ignored by deer. Big Bluestem is extremely drought tolerant once established, which may take a few years.

Andropogon ‘Black Hawk’ as seen in late July at Intrinsic Gardens, the developer of this cultivar.
The turkey-foot inflorescences begin to develop in early August as seen here at the Ford Rouge Factory in Detroit several years ago.

Foliage emerges dark green, developing reddish-purple tips as the summer progresses. By fall, the near-black coloration and strong vertical habit add lots of drama to the garden. In August, three-parted “turkeyfoot” inflorescences arise and by September the leaves, stems, and blooms take on a deep purple hue. More compact than other big bluestem cultivars, ‘Blackhawks’ reaches five feet tall by two feet wide.

Hardy in zones 3-9, plant this Big Bluestem in full sun. It will do best in average to dry, well-drained soils but is likely to flop in fertile and/or moist soil.

 

Andropogon gerardii with Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’, and Echinacea on the High Line.

The excellent attributes of ‘Blackhawks’ qualified it among the top-rated selections in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s comparative trial of ornamental grasses. This warm season grass is ideal for native, naturalistic, and cottage-style plantings. In late spring and summer. The two-toned effect of ‘Blackhawks’ makes an interesting foil mingled with early flowering perennials such as Echinacea and Agastache. Later in the season, the tall flower spikes add texture and movement among fall bloomers such as Rudbeckia spp (Black-Eyed Susan), Hylotelephium spp (Tall Stonecrop), and Symphyotrichum spp. (Asters).

 

Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’-photo by Intrinsic Gardens

Looking for something unusual? A cultivar of Andropogon gerardii  could be the answer.

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