Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’ – Big Bluestem

Selected at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in Illinois for its narrow leaves and upright habit, but it’s the foliage color everyone is talking about. Leaves start deep green with red highlights in spring. As fall approaches, the red increases and deepens to burgundy. Then, after the first frost, foliage turns candy-apple-red hues mixed with scarlet. Even the seed heads of ‘Red October ‘ are shades of red.