Switchgrass is quite a robust species and tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions. It is a hardy, deep-rooted, perennial rhizomatous grass that begins growth in late spring. It is typically shorter than big bluestem grass or indiangrass. When ripe, the seeds sometimes take on a pink or dull-purple tinge, and turn golden brown with the foliage of the plant in the fall.
Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. Tolerates occasional flooding. May flop in overly rich soils. Generally performs best in full sun. Will grow in part shade, but begins to lose its form in too much shade, growing more openly and possibly falling over. Grows primarily in clumps, but will slowly spread by slightly creeping rhizomes. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
Grows to 36-72"
Panicum virgatum
Photo by Katy Chayka of Minnesota Wildflowers and Chhe, Wikipedia and Peter Chen, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108092306
Switchgrass is quite a robust species and tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions. It is a hardy, deep-rooted, perennial rhizomatous grass that begins growth in late spring. It is typically shorter than big bluestem grass or indiangrass. When ripe, the seeds sometimes take on a pink or dull-purple tinge, and turn golden brown with the foliage of the plant in the fall.
Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. Tolerates occasional flooding. May flop in overly rich soils. Generally performs best in full sun. Will grow in part shade, but begins to lose its form in too much shade, growing more openly and possibly falling over. Grows primarily in clumps, but will slowly spread by slightly creeping rhizomes. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
Grows to 36-72"
Panicum virgatum
Photo by Katy Chayka of Minnesota Wildflowers and Chhe, Wikipedia and Peter Chen, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108092306
