Andropogon gerardii 'Holy Smoke' (Big Bluestem)

Andropogon gerardii 'Holy Smoke' is a cultivar of Andropogon gerardii, also called big bluestem, an upright, perennial prairie grass native to most areas of the United States.The 'Holy Smoke' cultivar is noted for its incredibly colorful foliage, which emerges green and burgundy red in the spring, and matures to darker purples and pinks through the summer.

Andropogon gerardii generally prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it can thrive in a variety of soils and conditions, including poor soils, and can grow to four to five feet tall, with flowers occasionally adding up to three extra feet. Airy purplish flowers appear in late summer before turning to persistent seed heads, which last through the winter and provide a food source for migrating and overwintering birds. An equally excellent choice for sunny, drought-prone gardens or for erosion management projects, 'Holy Smoke' is an excellent colorful cultivar with plenty of ecological benefits.