Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind' (Big Bluestem) Unity Grown

Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind' is a hardy, low-maintenance, dwarf cultivar of the native big bluestem grass, a large, perennial grass found across much of the eastern US. While the cultivar is shorter, it doesn't lose any of the showiness associated with big bluestem; the summer foliage is light green accented with red, but as the season progresses, the foliage reliably turns from red to deep scarlets and wine colors. In addition, a shorter profile means that this bluestem's upright habit is more persistent through the colder months, so bright bronzy colored dried foliage will be present through the fall and winter.

Relatively slow to establish, this grass is drought-resistant once established and, when provided with full sun, reaches only 4-5' tall, compared to up to 6' or more for the grass's parent cultivar 'Indian Warrior' with other cultivars.' Due to its smaller size, 'Dancing Wind' is likelier to maintain its upright habit through even heavy winter snows. After the winter passes, green and red streaked foliage in the spring turns to three-pronged 'turkey foot' flowers in shades of red and purple appear in late summer before turning again to persistent seed heads, which last through the winter and provide an important food source for migrating and overwintering birds. An excellent choice for sunny, drought-prone gardens or for wild prairie restoration projects, Andropogon gerardii 'Dancing Wind' is a colorful cultivar with plenty of ecological benefits.