Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) is a clump-forming, warm-season grass that thrives in various soil types, from dry to moist conditions. This perennial grass, reaching up to 10 feet tall, features bright green leaves along its stems that turn a striking yellow in the fall. Its large, open, reddish-purple seedheads add a delicate, lacy texture to the landscape from late summer through fall. As a dominant species in the tallgrass prairie, Switchgrass is valuable for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and ornamental use, particularly in pocket prairies or as an accent plant.
Scientific Name: Panicum virgatum
Origin: Central North America
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Blooms: August-November
USDA Zones: 5-9
Larval Host: Delaware Skipper, Dotted Skipper
