Holy Smoke big bluestem
Andropogon gerardi 'Holy Smoke'
USDA zones4 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size4 to 6 feet tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Bloom color
- Brown
Notes
'Holy Smoke' big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii 'Holy Smoke') is a grass for mass plantings, specimen planting, and cut dried flowers. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun and dry soil. The foliage starts grey-green, turns green in summer, and matures to purplish-pink reds in late summer to early fall, when golden-brown flower stems rise to 6 feet tall. Deer tend to pass it by. Once established, it tolerates drought.
Pairs well with Hoary vervain, Purple lovegrass, Partridge pea, and Dropwort.