top of page

Panicum virgatum

Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum
Panicum virgatum
Description

Switch Grass features airy plumes of rose flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. The brick red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. Its grassy leaves are green in color. The foliage often turns yellow in fall.

Ornamental Features

Switch Grass features airy plumes of rose flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. The brick red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. Its grassy leaves are green in color. The foliage often turns yellow in fall.

Planting & Growing

Switch Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

Light Requirement:

Moisture:

Cold Hardy to Zone:

Height(inches):

Spread:

Soil pH:

Soil Type

Fall Color

Deer Resistance:

full sun to partial shade

dry

-

moist

2b

5

ft.

3 feet

alkaline

false

Members of:

bottom of page