Andropogon gerardii 'Niagara' (Big Bluestem) Unity Grown

Andropogon gerardii 'Niagara' is a cultivar of Andropogon gerardii, also called big bluestem, an upright, perennial prairie grass native to most areas of the United States.The 'Niagara' cultivar is noted for its incredible hardiness, early flowering and seed production, and rapid recovery after its seeds have been harvested.

Big bluestem generally prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it can thrive in a variety of soils and conditions, including poor soils, which is especially true for the 'Niagara' cultivar. Commonly used in roadside ditches and open meadows for erosion control and increased biodiversity, 'Niagara' has also seen an increased usage in areas polluted by mine spoil and in incredibly nutrient poor locations like sand and gravel pits.

'Niagara' has very deep roots which allow it to survive drought very well when established, and is a large cultivar for big bluestem, typically growing to six to eight feet tall, with flowers occasionally adding up to three extra feet. Pale, airy flowers appear in the mid-summer before turning to persistent yellow-gold seed heads, which last through the winter and provide a food source for migrating and overwintering birds. 'Niagara' is also a great cultivar for use in fields with wild or domesticated mammal populations, as it can recover and regrow very easily after grazing.