Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

A major prairie grass, Switchgrass is a handsome garden plant that lends a golden color to the autumn landscape. Panicum virgatum has an upright growth and produces a lovely cloud of airy seed heads in the fall. Easily grown in a variety of conditions, it tolerates …

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In stock
SKU
47570-03 / 27570
Plants 3" Pots
1-4 $7.99 ea.
5-10 $6.99 ea.
11-31 $5.99 ea.
32+ $4.99 ea.
Seeds 18,000 seeds/oz
Oz $4.00
1/4 Lb $10.00
1/2 Lb $15.00
Lb $25.00
Cultural Details
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture Dry, Medium, Moist
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Height 3' - 6'
Bloom Color Green, Cream
Bloom Time Aug, Sep
Spacing 2'
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Root Type Fibrous
Benefits Birds, Host Plant, Deer Resistant
Seeds per Oz 18000
Propagation Treatment Dry Stratification
Direct Sowing Time Spring, Early Summer

Switchgrass is an important prairie grass and a handsome landscaping plant as well, lending a golden color to the autumn landscape. The strong upright growth produces a lovely cloud of airy seed heads in the fall. Easily grown in a variety of conditions, it tolerates both clay and sandy soils. It grows taller on fertile and clay soils, frequently reaching five or six feet. On dry sandy soils the height is more likely to be at the lower end of its range. A stand of Switchgrass creates valuable habitat, providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Great for planting in meadows and naturalized landscapes, the rigid stems stand up well in winter.

The Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan), Arogos Skipper (Atrytone arogos), and the Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) all use Switchgrass as a host plant.

Seeding Rates for a Solid Stand of Switchgrass
•  2 Oz. per 1000 square feet
•  5 Lb. per acre