Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'

Panicum virgatum is a native tall prairie grass and has found its way into the national news as a possible sustainable energy source replacing the lofty status once held by hybrid field corn.

The tidbit of previous information is well off the subject of ornamental panicum varieties for landscaping interest and we hope that you will enjoy reading about the following cultivars:

VARIETY	SUMMER FOLIAGE	FALL FOLIAGE	HEIGHT X WIDTH	ZONE
Dallas Blues	Blue	Purple	7’ X 3-4’	5
Heavy Metal	Blue	Yellow	4-5’ X 2-3’	5
North Wind	Blue	Golden Yellow	4-5’ X 2-3’	2
Prairie Sky	Blue	Yellow	3-5’ X 2’	4
Rehbraun (Red Switchgrass)	Red	Red	3-4’ X 2’	5
Shenandoah	Red	Burgundy to Wine	4’ X 2’	5
Strictum	Blue-Green	Purplish-Red	6’ X 2-3’	5
Trailblazer	Green	Orange-Yellow	4-5’ X 2-3’	5

Be sure to plant all of the above varieties in full sun and do not overlook the seed plumes as candidates for cutting to be used and enjoyed in arrangements.

Last fall I planted Panicum v. Heavy Metal and so far it has lived up to all of the good press that I had read about it. Very pleasant when mixed in with broadleaf plants and as claimed when the hard rains arrived late last summer it did not flop over.

We suggest that you give the panicum cultivars a try for a real visual treat.

From Switchgrass to Ornamental Grass

footer for switchgrass page