Switchgrass
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Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass, or Panicum virgatum, is a beautiful ornamental grass that calls Texas home! It used to play a vital role in the lush tallgrass prairie that once stretched across much of the state. This warm-season grass grows in lovely clumps and usually reaches about 3 feet in height. When flowering, it showcases delicate, pink-tinged flower panicles that can elevate the plant's height to an impressive 6 feet! In autumn, the medium green leaves bring some warmth to the landscape as they transition to vibrant yellow with hints of orange, eventually fading to a soft tan-beige in winter. As the seeds mature in the fall, the panicles turn a gentle beige, and those lovely seed plumes stick around into winter, providing a delightful meal for our feathered friends.
Switchgrass thrives in medium to wet soils and loves basking in full sun to part shade. While it can adapt to various soil types, including drier ones, it truly prefers moist, sandy, or clay soils. It's resilient enough to handle occasional flooding but might lean a bit in overly rich soils. This grass shines bright in full sun, though it might struggle with form if it gets too much shade, as it tends to rise more openly and could topple over. Mainly, it grows in charming clumps yet will gently spread through its slow, creeping rhizomes. For upkeep, it's best to cut these clumps back to the ground in late winter to early spring. While the plants can self-seed in ideal conditions, keep in mind that cultivars may not always reproduce true from seed.
BONAP MAP
Height: 3’-6’
Spread 2’-3’
Bloom: July-February
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Central United States
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
