Ornamental grass
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Four-to-six-foot vertical presence with airy seed clouds. 'Shenandoah' goes wine-red.
- Native
- Deer-resistant
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–9
- Water
- Low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 4–6 ft tall × 24–36 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Airy pinkish seed clouds in late summer; gold to wine-red fall color
- Plant type
- Ornamental grass
- Native range
- Native to most of North America east of the Rockies, including the Great Plains and Texas
Why we recommend it
A tall native prairie grass for screening and structure that stays upright into winter; red-foliaged selections like 'Shenandoah' add fall color.
Best regions: Front RangeTexasGreat Plains
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water weekly the first summer; established plants handle drought, though they look best with a monthly deep soak in hot summers.
Pruning
Leave standing through winter; cut to 4–6 in. in early spring.
Soil
Adaptable from sand to clay; tolerates both dry and seasonally moist soil. Straight species can self-sow.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Switchgrass from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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