Panicum virgatum

Also Known As

Prairie Switchgrass
Switchgrass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

H: 3'-6'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Panicum virgatum plant details

Panicum virgatum is a deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue and green foliage. In summer pink and tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Panicum virgatum

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue and green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and tan blooms in summer
Uses: easy-to-grow

GROWING CONDITIONS for Panicum virgatum

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Excellent for winter wildlife, Switchgrass is the best native grass for creating dense cover for wildlife habitat. Its stiff stems stand up over winter better than all other grasses. At home on almost any soil, it will grow three to six feet tall in your driest sand or most horrendous clay! Zones 3 - 10.

By: Prairie Nursery

One of the original constituents of North America's tall and short grass prairies. Durable and versatile warm season grass with attractive flowers and colorful fall foliage. Clumping form with large, ribbon-like leaves to 5' tall. Bright green to blue leaves have a reddish tinge during the summer months, turning yellow in fall. Open panicles hold lacy flowers which emerge pinkish, reddish or silvery, and mature to gold-brown or silver, persisting well into winter. Useful as a background for large borders, in containers, or massed. Best in full sun and most soils with regular watering. Winter deciduous, cut back in late winter or early spring. Hardy to below 0F. Pantropical to temperate North America.

By: Native Sons

A prevalent tall grass, native to most of the open prairies and woods of the Americas. While it does form clumps, it can also spread by rhizomes. Forms vary from softly lax to stiffly upright and generally a long-lived, warm season grower. Versatile and easy to grow, even tolerating heavy clay soils, in full sun. Very useful landscape plant.