Blackhawks Big Bluestem Grass
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking year-round architectural color.
Elevate your landscape with 'Blackhawks' Big Bluestem Grass, a striking native prairie grass cultivar. Its foliage transforms from dark green to a deep, rich purple during summer, shifting to a burnt sienna in winter for enduring architectural appeal. Growing upright to 48-60 inches, this grass is ideal as a standalone specimen or within a meadow. It's low-maintenance, resistant to deer, and thrives in full sun with average soils, ensuring vibrant color and structure.
$13.98
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
720
/ 2688
#720 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-49%
Below average
Botanical Name
27949
/ Andropogon gerardii Blackhawks PP#
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking dramatic autumn landscape focal points
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, water-wise native plants
- Wildlife enthusiasts looking to provide winter habitat and structure
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners expecting immediate, full-grown landscape results
- Gardeners with nutrient-rich or overly moist soil conditions
- Low-maintenance gardeners wanting to avoid frequent weeding or pruning
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Dramatic color shifts provide stunning architectural interest throughout every season.
Maintenance Ease
Low-water requirements and hardy nature make this a set-and-forget landscape staple.
Wildlife Support
Native cultivar effectively attracts local pollinators and birds to the garden.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits, protecting your investment from common grazers.
Climate Versatility
Thrives across a wide range of zones from three through nine.
Structural Integrity
Strong, upright growth habit maintains a clean silhouette without needing staking.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Andropogon gerardii Blackhawks PP#27949
Mature Height
48-60 inches
Mature Spread
12-24 inches
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Soil Moisture
Dry, Average
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zone 3 through Zone 9
Life Cycle
Perennial
Bloom Time
Late summer
Features
- Deep purple to black summer foliage
- Strong upright architectural interest
- Native prairie grass cultivar
- Attracts birds and pollinators
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Excellent winter interest
- Easy to grow and low maintenance
- Year-round visual appeal
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly love the Blackhawks Big Bluestem Grass for its dramatic visual impact and resilience. The deep burgundy red fall color provides exceptional late-season interest, setting it apart from other varieties. A key benefit is its robust nature and impressive drought tolerance once established, making it ideal for low maintenance landscapes. Reviewers appreciate the successful establishment rates from the provided plugs or seeds. While patience is required as the native grass matures over a couple of seasons, the long term payoff in hardiness and striking visual appeal is highly valued. This grass is strongly recommended for borders and meadow plantings due to its reliable performance and ecological benefits.
Know before you buy
The 'Blackhawks' cultivar starts with dark green foliage that shifts to a deep, rich purple during the summer months. As winter approaches, the grass transitions into a striking burnt sienna, providing architectural interest even in the colder months.
No, it is considered a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for reliable, year-round structure.
This variety is naturally resistant to both deer and rabbits, which makes it a practical choice for landscapes where wildlife pressure is a concern.
For the best color development and structural integrity, 'Blackhawks' requires full sun. Planting it in partial shade may cause the stems to lean or lose that signature deep purple coloration.
Since the mature spread is 12 to 24 inches, you should space them at least 2 feet apart to allow for proper airflow and to accommodate their mature width.
This perennial is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, meaning it can thrive in a wide range of climates, from very cold northern winters to warmer southern summers.
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