Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

One of the most colorful and versatile Switchgrasses around, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' begins the season by sending up an upright, narrow clump of foliage in a blue-green color that shifts early in the season to a fabulous wine red that is capped in summer by a cloud of blush-red flower panicles. This highly ornamental grass forms a dense clump that keeps its shape through winter unless blanketed by snow. Plants reach 3-4', and because they tolerate a remarkably broad range of conditions – from drought to wet soil, and air pollution to Black Walnut trees – they can be used in wide variety of gardens and landscapes. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

The genus Panicum consists of 400-500 species of annual and perennial Grasses native to a wide variety of habitats in temperate and tropical areas globally. Commonly called Switchgrass, this upright warm-season clumping Grass actively grows from June into early September, remains green (or glaucous, steely-blue, or streaked with maroon) through hot weather then goes dormant in fall. In winter, plants remain upright and leaf blades curl and fade to buff, topped by stiff stems bearing a halo of airy seed panicles that add drama and texture throughout the cold season. Switchgrass’ ease of care, deer-resistance, tolerance of salt spray, and adaptability to a wide range of soil types, nutrient, and moisture levels make it invaluable in ornamental gardens of any style. Use Panicums for screening, erosion control, mass plantings, rain gardens, xeriscapes, and in naturalistic plantings, meadows, and prairie restoration. Wherever planted, they provide beauty and important habitat, nesting opportunities and materials, along with high-value food for numerous birds, animals, and insects. The spaces between these clumping perennial Grasses make way for plants like Heliopsis and tall Asters, fostering biodiverse plant communities.

For more information on growing Panicum, click Growing Guide.