Panicum virgatum
Switch grass, Wild red top, Thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
One of the grasses of the American prairies with a very wide distribution. It makes an arching spreading sturdy clump with foliage that is in shades of green and blue. The grass changes colour in autumn, the colours ranging from golden brown to deep red. It flowers in late summer when it produces airy floral panicles that may have red shades within them at first. There are a good number or cultivars with distinct characters.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Gold
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - late · Planting
Divide when too large
When the plant is too large clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut, whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter - mid-late · Planting
Prune to the ground in winter
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts in spring.
Where stems are grown for ornamental value, they should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Found in
More Panicum
Panicum
Panic grass, Crab grass, Millet
Panicum virgatum
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'
Blue switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Hanse Herms'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Oxblood Autumn'
Switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass