Panicum

More Information About Panicum

Don't "panic"! "Switch" over to the perennial native ornamental grass panicum (aka switchgrass or switch grass). In addition to serving as the source plant of the biofuel movement, panicum is a tall ornamental grass that dominates the US prairies and also grows in North Carolina. With an airy upright form, panicum contrasts well with bolder-textured plants. Perennial ornamental grasses are real showstoppers in fall when airy plumes top the foliage.

Growing Panicum

As you might expect from an American native ornamental grass, panicum likes full sun, is salt- and drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and easy to grow.

Throughout the growing season, switchgrass provides architectural form and fantastic foliage color, both an important part of a well-designed garden. You can buy switchgrass (usually forms of Panicum virgatum) in a variety of foliage colors including green, blue, and purple. Varieties of switchgrass for sale also vary in habit from arching to upright...something to fit into any garden design.

Switchgrass Companion Plants

Try pairing your panicum with plants that have complementary features such as acanthus, ruscus, baptisia, dicliptera, eucomis and phlomis.