Versatile switch grass:
Panicum virgatum cultivars to grow

Like so many of the ornamental grasses, switch grasses (Panicum virgatum) became a favorite of German plant breeders.

As a result, switch grass cultivars were grown in German gardens for years, but not in North America, which is surprising because these grasses were once a major part of the American tall grass prairie.

Happily, today switch grass is growing in popularity and there are now many attractive selections available from American and European sources.

Growing switch grasses in the garden

Panicum virgatum is a long-lived, warm-season grass.

Typically, it starts to grow in late spring, thriving in the heat of summer and flowering profusely in July or August. When the airy flowers open they are often attractively tinged with pink.

Switch grass cultivars are drought-tolerant once established, and they also tolerate soggy soils, which means they grow well in spots that are wet in early spring.

In his book, The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, Rick Darke, notes that self-sowing is usually minimal, but that it can be prolific on open moist soil. "This," he says, "can be valuable for naturalizing, but can be a problem when attempting to maintain uniform sweeps of clonal cultivars, since seedlings often differ noticeably from parents."

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) - Top-notch garden cultivars

The following selections are all excellent because of their dramatic garden presence and the fact that they don't lean or flop. They stand up nicely through the season, even after heavy rains.

Blue Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'):

How to grow and hardiness: Full sun, hardy to Zone 5. Grows 60 inches tall.

This stunning Panicum virgatum selection was originally found in Dallas, Texas, which inspired its name.

Although from a warm part of the country, 'Dallas Blues' grows equally well in colder regions. I've grown it in my zone 5 garden for five years now and it winters very well.

'Dallas Blues' grows into an upright clump of fountain-like, with foliage that's powdery blue. In early fall, each clump is topped with stunning reddish purple flower plumes. The leaves turn a copper color in fall that persists well through the winter.

Rick Darke notes that 'Dallas Blues' has a higher than average drought tolerance. I have it growing on a sandy-loam hillside that can get very dry, and it has survived severe drought with occasional watering.

Upright Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Northwind')

How to grow and hardiness: Full sun, also drought tolerant. Hardy to Zone 4. Grows five feet tall.

This impressive switch grass cultivar hails from Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin.

'North Wind' has wide, green foliage and a strongly upright growth habit similar to that of 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora, 'Karl Foerster'), but it blooms later.

In September, the plant sports attractive narrow flower plumes held erect atop the foliage. Foliage and flowers become tawny gold in fall and this color persists through the winter.

This plant is my favorite switch grass cultivar - its strong vertical habit and vigorous growth makes this one of the handsomest of the switch grasses.

Cloud Nine Switch Grass
(Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'):

How to grow and hardiness: Full sun, hardy to Zone 4. Can reach 8 feet tall in flower.

This is another excellent switch grass with blue-green leaves. It grows upright, although not as erect 'North Wind', and turns a handsome gold color in the fall and stands up nicely through the winter.

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass
(Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'):

How to grow and hardiness: Full sun, hardy to Zone 4. Grows to 5 feet tall in bloom.

This Kurt Bluemel introduction has been available for a while now and is perhaps the best-known of the blue-leaved cultivars. The leaves grow upright and the airy flower panicles look pink with they open.

Related information:

Growing and care tips
for Panicum virgatum and other grasses

Perennials to grow with ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses for shade

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