Switch grass Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Switch grass:
Previously known as:
- Panicum sumatrense 'Northwind'
- Description
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'Northwind' is a cultivar of switch grass, a wispy ornamental in the Poaceae (grass) family.
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Native to the U.S.
- Distribution:
- Canada southward to Florida, westward almost to the west coast. Very common in central plains states.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and butterflies. Provides nesting materials for birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer, drought, dry soil, wet soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- 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:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native 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
