Prairie Winds® 'Blue Spear' Switchgrass (Panicum)
Perennial
- Unique fused flowers great for fall arrangements!
- Sturdy, columnar habit makes it great for narrow hedges.
- Blue-green foliage adds nice color to the summer garden.
- Native, deer-resistant, & waterwise perennial.
- Zone 4-9, sun, 4-4.5’ tall x 2-2.5’ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Switch grasses (or Panicum) are warm-season grasses native to North American prairies. From the tall, blue-colored 'Niagara Falls' to the bright red foliage of 'Cheyenne Sky,' we offer a switch grass that suits every sunny garden. Their foliage, plumes of flowers, and seedheads provide texture and structure to the landscape year-round. Switchgrass is an easy-to-grow focal point for gardeners across a wide range of soils, with low water requirements.
Details
Patent #: PPAF CPBRAF
Common name: Switch Grass
Zone: 4 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 4-4.5’ tall x 2-2.5’ wide
Flower color: Cream
Foliage color: Blue-Green
Season of interest: Year-round
Bloom time: Late summer
Features: Winter interest, suitable for slopes, small gardens, Proven Winners, privacy & screening, native, fall color, drought tolerant, deer-resistant, best for beginners, low-maintenance, poor soils, cut flower
Uses: Background, border, cottage gardening, foundation planting, massing, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Performs best in full sun, may not produce as many flowers in shade.
Water: Has average water needs and, once established, will tolerate some drought.
Spacing: Minimum 4’ feet apart
Fertilizing: Fertilization isn't necessary, but if desired a small amount of all-purpose garden fertilizer can be applied in spring.
Winterizing: Foliage can be left standing in winter.
Maintenance & pruning: In late winter, before new growth begins to emerge, cut foliage down to 3 to 4 inches above soil.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.