Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass)

One of the tallest switch grasses, Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ forms an erect-stemmed and narrow clump of glaucous blue foliage in spring, which gets topped in mid to late summer with a profusion of finely-textured, airy golden flower panicles which hover over the foliage like an airy cloud. They persist well into fall before eventually turning beige, while the foliage turns a lovely dark golden shade in fall.

Like many North American prairie grasses, switch grass is a long-lived, warm-season grower. Quite sturdy, even when dry or dormant, it stands through winter (unless your area enjoys heavy snowfalls), providing essential cover for birds.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Typically grows in narrow clumps, up to 5-7 ft tall (150-210 cm). This plant will slowly spread by underground rhizomes. May self-seed but may not come true from seed.
• Welcomed in any garden style, it is versatile and can be used in groups or in mass plantings. It is ideal in borders where it provides texture, color, and contrast. Excellent choice for prairies, wild gardens, along ponds and streams, or naturalized areas.
• Performs best in full sun in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates part shade, but will lose its upright form in too much shade and may fall over. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry soils, but prefers moist, sandy, or clay soils. Drought and wet soil tolerant.
• No serious insect or disease problems. Deer resistant.
• Requires little maintenance except cutting back the old foliage to the ground in late winter to early spring.
• Propagate by division in spring
• Panicum virgatum species is native to North America.