Alphabetical Plant Listing

Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' (Switch Grass)

Switch Grass 'Northwind', Panicum 'Northwind'


One of the best vertical varieties of switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is a deciduous, perennial grass of architectural distinction. It forms a dense, strongly upright, narrow clump of olive-green to blue-green foliage, which gets topped in late summer with a profusion of finely-textured, golden flower spikelets which hover over the foliage like an airy cloud. Both flowers and foliage turn beige in fall and usually remain attractive in the garden all winter long.

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 4-6 ft tall (120-180 cm) and 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm). 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 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.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Panicum - Switch Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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J© Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Panicum - Switch Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Panicum - Switch Grasses

Guides with Panicum - Switch Grasses

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