Their common name, big bluestem, denotes their purplish blue flower stems that can reach 10 feet tall. 'Red October's' narrow leaves are green with a touch of red in the spring but in the fall the red deepens to burgundy and after a frost, turns candy-apple red. The plant grows 6 feet tall and prefers full sun and moist, well- drained soil. It is most effective when grouped into large drifts and makes an excellent ground cover for parks, highway medians, prairie gardens, and perennial beds.

The genus Andropogon contains more than 200 species in every part of the world; in North American prairies it was once found in every continental state. Though replaced by farmlands and greatly reduced in numbers, they are starting to make a comeback in restored prairies and home gardens.