Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden

Andropogon glomeratus

Bushy Bluestem

Latin name: Andropogon glomeratus
Common name: Bushy Bluestem
Flowers: Bushy inflorescenes2, 10
Fruit: Inconspicuous16
Height & Width: 5-6’ x 3’22
Type: Perennial10
Habit: Upright, clump-forming3
Wetland indicator category**: FACW17
Texture: Medium2
Growth rate: Medium3
Light: Sun10
Moisture: Medium to wet12
Soil*: Tolerates a wide variety of soil types12
Zones: 3-92
Origin: Lower Western to Eastern United States, including South Carolina.16
Features: Bushy Bluestem features showy copper-orange fall and winter color that persists for months2. During the growing season, this large grass displays flattened blue stems from which the bushy flower plumes appear in late summer3. Beneficial to a wide variety of wildlife10.

Siting: Andropogon glomeratus needs plenty of room to grow and performs best in medium to wet soils2. It can handle light shade, though it prefers full sun12.

Care: Plant crown at soil level18. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems18. Cut clumps to the ground in late winter to allow room for new growth12.

Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (10/30/12):

X USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml

X SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Sources

  1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
  2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
  3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes. Athens, GA: University of Geogia.
  4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/flowers/ 
  5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/groundcovers/ 
  6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center. (2011). Trees. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/ 
  7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/shrubs/ 
  8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
  9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
  10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/explore/ 
  11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
  12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp 
  13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html 
  14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place. Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
  15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees 
  16. USDA. Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/ 
  17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html 
  18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication
  19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.html