'Spectacular:' Award-Winning Perennial Adds Striking Contrast To Bright Flower Beds

Every great garden relies on a balance of color and texture, but if you're looking to add a truly dramatic focal point to your landscape, look no further than the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year. Aptly described as "spectacular" by multiple plant nurseries, Blackhawks Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks') is an exciting and colorful ornamental grass that brings some great height and moody, shifting colors to your yard. What really makes it such a neat addition is how it interacts with the plants around it — specifically, how its dark, brooding foliage creates striking contrast against bright flower beds.

There are many advantages to growing ornamental grasses in your yard. However, when this one is placed strategically, this deep-toned perennial can make vivid blooms pop and look more interesting. Companion planting this tallgrass alongside bold options like fiery orange daylilies, neon pink coneflowers, or yellow black-eyed Susans creates a high-impact display your neighbors won't be able to take their eyes off. It reaches up to around 4 or 5 feet tall, and its thin grass blades also contrast nicely with nearby broad-leafed plants, making it a great choice for gardeners who prefer leafy greens over bright flowers.

This North American native tallgrass takes the resilience of wild prairie grass and elevates it with an upright growth and awe-inspiring seasonal foliage. In the spring, the blades start off green in color, but as summer progresses, the tips begin to flush with a red to purple look. By late summer and into fall, the entire plant transforms into a rich deep-purple to near-black hue.

If you're eager to introduce this award-winning native grass to your yard, we don't blame you. Blackhawks Big Bluestem is forgiving and easy to grow, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. To achieve that signature deep purple and black coloration, though, you need to plant it somewhere that gets full sun, which it loves.

This plant is easygoing, preferring well-draining soil, and does better in drier soil compared to fertilized and moist soil. Blackhawks Big Bluestem is drought-tolerant once established. However, make sure you give it regular, moderate watering during its first growing season to help establish its roots. From there, the ornamental grass can thrive with minimal watering.

Overall, this perennial requires very little maintenance and is generally resistant to deer, pests, and diseases. Your only chore is cutting back dead foliage all the way down in either late winter or early spring to clear the way for fresh growth. Whether you want to add big drama to your garden beds or create a stunning backdrop for your favorite bright flowers, the award-winning Blackhawks Big Bluestem is an effortless addition to any landscape.