Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass is most attractive in late summer and fall when it’s light reddish purple cloud-like seed heads emerge. Switchgrass is a warm-season bunchgrass, meaning it actively grows during the summer when soil temperatures are warm.

Switchgrass prefers partial to full sunlight and moist soil, however it can tolerate practically any kind of soil and once established, it will adapt to drier conditions. It will grow between 3 to 6 feet tall even in dry sand or heavy clay soils. This grass can spread aggressively with it’s vigorous rhizomes, therefore it should not be overplanted.


USDA Zone	3-9
Plant Spacing	2-4'
Sun Exposure	Full Sun / Part Shade
Soil Moisture	Wet-Mesic / Mesic (Medium) / Dry-Mesic / Dry
Height	4 feet
Bloom Time	July – Sept

PLANT BENEFITS

Switchgrass makes an excellent cover for winter wildlife. Its has stiff stems that stand up well over winter, making it the best native grass at creating dense cover for wildlife habitat. Switchgrass seed provides a healthy food source for birds as well.

PLANT DETAILS

Switchgrass has a fibrous and rhizomatous root system that can penetrate more than 10 ft. in the ground. Because of this, it can handle drought periods better than most grasses and provides outstanding erosion control. Switchgrass is also unique because it can withstand flooding and saturated soils for long periods of time once it has been established. Growth begins in mid-spring and continues through the summer if there is enough moisture to sustain growth.