Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum

Phonetic: PAN-ih-kum ver-GAY-tum

Switch Grass is a warm season ornamental perennial grass that grows up to 4 feet of blueish foliage and 7 feet with it's pink tinged flower plumes. The foliage turns yellow in the fall. Switch Grass thrives in full sun in moist sandy or clay soils but will tolerate dry soils and partial shade. The plant may flop over in partial shade as well as rich soils. It grows slowly via rhizomes and will self seed in optimum growing conditions.

This perennial has a high flammability rating so should not be planted near housing or other structures.

• Hardiness: 3-9
• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Flower Color: Pink
• Bloom Time: July - September
• Soil Type: Dry to Moist
• Mature Plant Size: 4' H x 3' W
• Plant Spacing: 3'
• Host Plant: Various skippers including the Delaware Skipper
• Attracts: Birds and Butterflies
• Advantages: Year round interest, salt tolerant, deer resistant, erosion control, cut flower.
• Landscape Uses: Wetland garden, pond edges, hedge, accent plant.
• Companion Plants: Ironweed, Obedient Plant, New England Aster