Scientific Name
Panicum virgatum

Common Name
Switch grass


Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Height: 4 to 6'
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil/Moisture: Tolerant of moist or dry soil
Form/Texture: Moderate texture; dense, upright, open clump
Inflorescence: Open panicles of dark red to purple in late summer and fall; shiny red seeds
Comments: Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color; fast spreading by rhizomes; vigorous
Cultivars:
Dallas Blues:

Prairie Sky: blue switch grass; leaves more blue than Heavy Metal; stems may flop in wet years

Rotstrachlbusch: 3 to 4'; red leaves in fall

Shenandoah: red switch grass; green leaves turn dark red in mid summer and wine in fall; 4'

Northwind:

Hanse Herms: red switch grass; 3 to 4'; bright orange fall color; pink to reddish inflorescence; mature to grayish white

Little Honey:

Squaw: green leaves with red tones in fall; pink toned inflorescence; 4'

Rehbraun

 

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Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist

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