Versatility is a characteristic of our best conservation plants, and 'Sherman' big
bluestem is no exception. Collected in Sherman County, Oregon, and selected in 1945 by
the Pullman, Washington Plant Materials Center and the Agricultural Experiment Stations
of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, 'Sherman' is an important variety for seeding dryland
pasture and range, stabilizing soil, reseeding burned lands, and restoring natural areas.
It has been established on 527,000 acres for an ecological benefit of almost $36 million.
This plant has distinctly blue leaves and is easy to establish from seed, reaching a
height of 35 to 38 inches. It matures early in the growing season and has high seed, forage,
and root production. 'Sherman' is adapted to well-drained soils in the Pacific Northwest
and Great Basin states, at elevations of 300 to 8,000 feet with a 10- to 20-inch average
annual rainfall.
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