Northwind Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'

'Northwind' is a cultivar of the deciduous, native perennial, ornamental grass that is known as switch grass. This cultivar is dense, upright, compact, and columnar with a clumping habit. The leaves are olive-green to bluish-green. In the late summer, the flowers appear as pink and green spike-lets that are arranged in large branched panicles that form an "airy cloud."  The seed heads follow, and the foliage becomes yellowish-beige in the autumn.

'Northwind' was developed by Roy Diblik at the Northwind Perennial Farm in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. It was named the Perennial Plant Associations' Perennial Plant of the Year in 2014. 

The genus name, Panicum, is the old Latin word for millet. The specific epithet, virgatum, means "twiggy," 'Northwind' is one of the best vertical forms available of all the cultivars of this species.

This warm season grass thrives grown in full sun and will tolerate a wide range of soil types. It prefers average, medium to wet, well-drained soils of sand or clay.  Overly moist and rich soils should be avoided because it tends to cause the plant to flop. If planted in too much shade, it will also begin to lose its form. It is drought, deer, and wet soil tolerant. It spreads by creeping rhizomes. The foliage should be left standing during the winter months to help reduce soil erosion. The foliage also provides a food and wildlife habitat for pheasant, quail, turkeys, and other birds.  'Northwind' requires very little maintenance except to cut back the foliage in late winter or early spring. 

'Northwind' may be used as an accent or planted in groups or mass plantings. Consider using this cultivar in a native plant garden, wildflower garden, meadow, or naturalized area due to its multiple seasons of interest and lack of maintenance. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Late Summer      Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• deciduous, dense, compact, erect, columnar, clumping, ornamental grass
• long olive green to bluish-green, narrow, lanceolate foliage
• flowers of pink and green spike-let  arranged in large branched panicles in the late summer
• flowers followed by tiny seed heads
• yellowish-beige fall foliage

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  'Northwind' has no serious insect or disease problems. Japanese beetles, grasshoppers, armyworms, Switchgrass moths, thrips, and spider mites may be seen. In hot and humid climates, this grass can be susceptible to rust. Crown and root rot may also occur.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Panicum virgatum.