Announcing the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year
2026 Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) logo. | Perennial Plant Association (PPA)
The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has announced the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year as Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’. Selected by PPA members, this cultivar, commonly known as Blackhawks big bluestem, stands out for its striking appearance and resilience once established.
More compact than other big bluestem varieties, Blackhawks reaches a height of 5 feet and a width of 2 feet. Its near-black coloration and strong, upright growth habit create a dramatic presence in fall gardens. The dark green leaves emerge in spring, gradually transitioning to reddish-purple tips as summer progresses. By August, the characteristic three-parted “turkeyfoot” inflorescences appear, and by September, the entire plant takes on a deep purple hue.
Richard Hawke, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden, says that Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ is, “Notable for its compact size and sublimely dark burgundy leaves, stems, and flowers. It quickly became a standout in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s ornamental grass trial. It is the perfect choice to add color, texture, and movement to smaller gardens or landscapes where one of its bigger relatives would overwhelm.”
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Blackhawks big bluestem provides vital habitat. Its dense foliage and sturdy stems offer nesting sites and cover for birds, while also serving as a larval food source for several skipper butterfly species. Though it forms a single clump, it may reseed in the garden.
This cultivar is remarkably low-maintenance, with no major pest or disease concerns. The only required care is cutting it back to the ground in late winter, like other ornamental grasses. Once established, a process that may take a few years, Blackhawks becomes very drought-tolerant.
Bill Hall, Head Grower at Hoffman Nursery, says that, “This upright growing big Bluestem is slow to awaken from dormancy but is worth the wait. The dark purple foliage, which is near black, emerges clean and colors up quickly in the growing season. Like most Andropogon grasses, ‘Blackhawks’ seems to be relatively free of foliar disease”.
Plant Data for Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’
Released plant data for the 2026 PPOY, Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’, includes:
Hardiness
Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’ is fit for the following hardiness zones:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- Canadian Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- AHS Heat Zones: 4 to 9
Origin
Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’ originated as a seedling from Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’. Introduced by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Andropogon gerardii is native throughout a wide area of the eastern and central U.S. into Canada and Mexico.
Size
Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’ grows up to 60 inches (152 cm) tall and 24 inches (60 cm) wide.
Soil
Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’ grows well in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but may flop in fertile, moist soils.
For additional information on and images of the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year, please visit perennialplant.org/page/2026PPOY or the Perennial Plant of the Year website. Additionally, past PPOY winners, including 2025 PPOY Pycanthemum muticum and 2024 PPOY Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’, can be viewed here.
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