Panicum virgatum

Common Name(s):

Panic grass, Switch grass

Cultivar(s):

'Dallas Blues', 'Cloud Nine'

Categories:

Native Plants, Ornamental Grass, Perennials

Comment:

Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color; fast spreading by rhizomes; vigorous. This plant is highly resistant to deer grazing and is slightly salt tolerant.

Switchgrass is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow 3-4 feet and occasionally 7 feet. Foliage clump is topped in mid-summer by finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched flower panicles which hover over the foliage like a cloud.

Regions: Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter

Wildlife Value: High deer resistance. Provides excellent cover year round. Host plant for Common Wood-Nymph and various skipper species of butterfly. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.

Compare this Plant to: Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine', Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Light:

Sun to partial shade

Height:

3-7 ft.

Zones:

5-9

Habit:

Upright

Form:

Moderate texture; dense, upright, open clump

Soil:

Tolerant of moist soil

Inflorescence:

Open panicles of dark red to purple in late summer and fall; shiny red seeds

Tags:

coastal, cpp, seed, cover, mammals, skipper, highly beneficial coastal plants, fall color, deer resistant, birds, resistant, deer, fall interest, host, salt tolerant, butterflies, wildlife

NCCES plant id: 647