Andropogon gerardii 'Red Arrow'

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big blue stem 'Red Arrow'

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big blue stem 'Red Arrow' RHS
Herbaceous Perennial

'Red Arrow' is a densely tufted, clump-forming grass with arching, flat green leaves which become bronzed in autumn, and strong, erect stems up to 1.8m high, each with several racemes about 10cm long of brown-red spikelets in late summer which become redder in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Andropogon can be annual or perennial grasses, with linear leaves and simple or branched racemes of small flowers, often with conspicuous awns, in summer or autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, sandy, well-drained soil, in full sun, in a position protected from excessive winter wet; for more advice, see ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Prairie planting
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down old stems to the ground in early spring before new growth begins

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free