Use and Care Manual

Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass or Panicgrass
Native to North America, this genus boasts up to 450 species alone. Considered native prairie grasses, so
their genetics lend them the ability to survive just about anywhere and be beautiful doing it.
Cultivars:
Prairie Winds
®
'Cheyenne Sky' PW – blue green leaves turn wine red in early summer. Reaching 36” tall ,
makes it ideal for patio pots
‘Northwind’ – upright habit, blue green foliage; withstands windy conditions Perennial Plant of the Year
2014
‘Prairie Dog’ – upright stature of ‘Northwind’ but much shorter and compact. Silvery blue foliage
Hardiness Zones – USDA 3-9
Sun Exposure/ Watering- Full sun. Regular watering until established, but afterwards is
extremely drought tolerant.
Mature Plant Size- size ranges 3-6’ tall and 4-5’ wide depending on the cultivar
Bloom Period – Seed heads appear July to September
Growing Tips – once planted, these grasses take care of themselves. A highly prized, non-invasive
ornamental grass.
Uses: native gardening, wildlife gardening, seed heads can be used in floral designs, four season
gardening, erosion control, bioretention areas, bog areas, shoreline plantings
Caring for Panicum – allow foliage to be winter ornamental and cut back to ground early spring
and divide if clumps get too large
Pests & Problems of Panicum -
Tolerant of Black Walnut roots, very little effects this genus.