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Native alternative(s) for Panicum virgatum 'Northwind':
Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus sericea Cornus sericea red stem
Schizachyrium scoparium Schizachyrium scoparius
Ulmus americana Full Form

Northwind Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Panicum sumatrense 'Northwind'
Description

'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.

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Tags:
#deciduous#rain garden#drought tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#pond margins#columnar#deer resistant#warm-season grass#summer interest#border planting#screening#naturalized area#native ornamental grass#prairies#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#rain garden#drought tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#pond margins#columnar#deer resistant#warm-season grass#summer interest#border planting#screening#naturalized area#native ornamental grass#prairies#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Panicum
    Species:
    virgatum
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    This plant is being researched for its potential as a biomass crop for energy production.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds and butterflies. Provides nesting materials for birds.
    Play Value:
    Screening
    Textural
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Nesting
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer, drought, dry soil, wet soil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Columnar
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is dry and grain-like.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Small spike-lets of pink and green flowers appear in large, finely branched panicles in the late summer and persist through the middle of fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are flat, linear, and bluish-green. In the fall, they become yellowish-beige.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Bluish-green stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Pollution
    Wet Soil