High Country Gardens
Windwalker Big Bluestem Grass
Best drought-tolerant choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, deer-resistant landscape texture.
Discover the striking beauty of Windwalker® Big Bluestem Grass, a native ornamental grass that brings year-round interest to your landscape. Its distinctive gray-blue foliage provides a constant visual appeal, dramatically transforming into a spectacular bronze hue in the fall. Tall, swaying flower spikes add dynamic movement and texture, making it an excellent choice for xeriscapes and perennial borders. This low-water, high-drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun, offering a resilient and waterwise solution for a vibrant garden.
$11.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3068
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-57%
Below average
Mature Height
784
/ feet ( inches)
Who it's for
- Landscapers managing sloped terrain prone to soil erosion
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts seeking low-maintenance, water-wise garden solutions
- Gardeners desiring long-lasting seasonal color and architectural winter interest
Who should skip it
- Gardeners prioritizing vibrant, early-season spring foliage
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate, full-grown landscape results
- Owners of small urban gardens with limited vertical space
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation required.
Visual Versatility
Striking foliage transitions beautifully from summer blue to autumn bronze.
Landscape Impact
Seven-foot height provides dramatic verticality and movement in perennial borders.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, reducing the need for protective garden maintenance.
Soil Adaptability
Performs consistently across clay, sandy, and average soil compositions.
Establishment Ease
Potted delivery ensures a healthy start for successful long-term growth.
Key Specs
Mature Height
7 feet (84 inches)
Mature Spread
30 inches
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-8
Soil Types
Average Soil, Clay Soil, Sandy Soil
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance
High
Ships As
Potted Plant (2.5" Pot or 5" Deep Pot)
Plant Select® Award Recipient (2015)
Features
- Spectacular bronze fall color
- Year-round gray-blue foliage
- Adds dynamic movement
- Excellent for xeriscapes
- Native plant selection
- Deer resistant
- Low water needs
- Neonicotinoid Free
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Windwalker Big Bluestem, noting the plants arrive robust and well rooted. The primary theme is reliability; this grass establishes quickly and proves remarkably hardy, even in challenging climates. Reviewers appreciate its vibrant blue green color and upright structure, making it a dependable and beautiful landscape addition. It requires minimal maintenance and delivers significant visual impact, confirming its status as a high performing ornamental choice.
Know before you buy
With a mature spread of 30 inches, you should space these plants at least 2.5 to 3 feet apart to allow for proper airflow and to accommodate their full growth habit.
Windwalker is very low-maintenance. It is drought-tolerant once established and generally only requires cutting back the dead foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Yes, this variety is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, meaning it is well-adapted to withstand cold winter temperatures in those regions.
Yes, this variety is deer resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a concern. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, it is rarely targeted by them.
Yes, Windwalker is adaptable and performs well in a variety of soil types, including clay, provided the area is not prone to standing water.
You can expect this ornamental grass to reach a mature height of approximately 7 feet, including its flower spikes, so ensure you place it in a spot where it has room to grow vertically.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$12