Here we are in the third week of June, and I want to highlight some perennials. Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks,’ better known as Blackhawks Big Bluestem, is an ornamental grass. The main reason for choosing Blackhawks is two-fold. First, and most importantly, this is the selected perennial plant of the year for 2026 by the Perennial Plant Association. Secondly, it is a very hardy, very showy, perennial grass with dark green, purple-red tips.
MORE CHARACTERISTICS FOR ANDROPOGON BLACKHAWKS
- Very hardy here in Central Virginia.
- Blackhawks will grow to be 4 to 5 feet tall. You will need some patience with new plantings – it can take up to 3 years to reach their mature height.
- Bloom time is later this summer
- Foliage is dark green, purple red tips later this summer
- Wants to be in full sun.
You can use Blackhawks as an accent plant or as a part of a mass planting. Like with most ornamental grasses – you should leave Blackhawks up all winter as it’s useful for our beneficial birds and other habitats during the colder, winter months. Then I recommend cutting it back as close to the ground as possible in late February or early March.
Blackhawks can be used in container gardening. The dark foliage can be used to help accent other plants in your chosen container.
Come see us soon. Let us help you with all perennial selections. I think I will highlight Echinaecea “coneflowers” next week. What a wonderful sun loving perennial – especially our native coneflower – Purple Coneflower.
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!