Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ PP27949

For years I’ve been asked if the purple fountain grasses are winter hardy in Oklahoma, and I?ve always had to answer, unfortunately, no. Well now, thanks to our friend Brent Horvath of Hebron, IL, we have something that?s pretty close. Blackhawks Big Bluestem is a selection one of our native tallgrass prairie perennial grasses that exhibits striking black foliage for part of the season each year. Shorter and more upright than the straight native species, it begins the growing season with dark green to slightly purple leaves and stems. Then, sometime around August-September it develops its gorgeous jet-black coloration and holds it through fall and early winter. Give it a year or two to develop its best color. This grass tolerates a wide range of soil and moisture conditions and isn?t a favorite of deer. Brent is apparently a big fan of the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey team.