Andropogon 'Red October'

Andropogon 'Red October': Green All Summer, Red Hot by Fall

Fine green blades with red tips that turn burgundy, then scarlet after frost. Red stems, red flower heads, red everything. 'Red October' surfaces in fall and torpedoes the rest of the colour show. DIVE, DIVE, DIVE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Andropogon gerardii 'Red October'
• Common Name: Big Bluestem
• Height: 150–180 cm (5–6 ft)
• Spread: 60–75 cm (2–2.5 ft)
• Flowers: Red, three-branched turkey-foot flower heads on red stems
• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (September to October)
• Foliage: Fine, deep green blades with red tips, turning burgundy and then scarlet after frost
• Features: Good for cut or dried arrangements

Where to Plant: Plant it at the back of a sunny border, in a meadow, or anywhere you want a tall red exclamation mark in fall. It reads well from a distance, so it suits big beds and property lines, and it tolerates clay and sandy soils. The stems stand through much of the winter, giving birds cover.

Companion Plants: Set 'Red October' at the back of a dry, sunny bed and let pink, white and blue fill the front. Sedum 'Red Carpet' creeps at 8 to 15 cm with rosy-red flowers from June to August. Armeria Dreameria® 'Daydream' adds soft pink globes at 25 to 30 cm from May to September. Salvia 'Snow Hill' brings white spikes at 40 to 45 cm from June to August. Eryngium 'Blue Cap' adds steel-blue cones at 60 to 75 cm from June to August.

Plant Care: Give it full sun and well-drained soil of average or lower fertility. Too much rich soil or fertilizer makes the stems soft and floppy. Water regularly through the first season while the deep roots develop. Once established, it rarely needs extra water. Expect a slow start each spring, since this is a warm-season grass that waits for the soil to warm up. Cut the clump to the ground in late winter or early spring, before new shoots appear. Divide in spring if it outgrows its spot or the centre opens up.

History: 'Red October' was selected by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in Illinois from big bluestem for its finer foliage and strong red fall colour. One of its seedlings became 'Blackhawks', the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Final Thoughts: Plant it in full sun, give it room and let it go dry once it settles. Cut a few stems for dried arrangements. GO HUNT FOR IT.