Panicum ‘Shenandoah’ Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is a native perennial warm-season grass with blue-green foliage that takes on lovely red to maroon shades usually by June. Panicum ‘Shenandoah’ has airy red-tinted flower heads in August. ‘Shenandoah’ is compact and stays nicely upright all season.

Panicum virgatum, also known as switch grass or panic grass, is native to most of N. America, excepting the west coast. It has fine airy bloom and seed heads that attract songbirds and its foliage provides winter cover as well as interest in the garden. It is deer resistant and salt tolerant making it good for roadsides as well as meadows and background plantings. It is excellent for wet sites, erosion control, and a wide variety of harsh growing sites.

Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ likes full sun and moist soil but is very tolerant of drought and dry soils. It tolerates wet soil and works well in rain gardens.