Switchgrass Ornamental Grasses (Panicum Virgatum)

Switchgrass Ornamental Grasses Description

Switchgrass is a versatile, ornamental grass native to North America that is valued for its elegant, airy flower heads and strong, upright growth habit. Reaching heights of 1.2 to 1.8 metres (4 to 6 feet), it provides structure and movement to the garden. Its lush green foliage turns beautiful golden or reddish hues in autumn, adding seasonal interest. In late summer to early autumn, Switchgrass produces feathery, cloud like flower heads that range from soft pink to red, gradually maturing to silvery or golden tones. These flowers stand tall above the foliage, offering additional height and visual appeal.

Ideal for both naturalistic and formal gardens, Switchgrass thrives in full sun to partial shade and is suitable for a wide range of soil conditions, from dry to wet. It is an excellent choice for meadows, prairies, or as a backdrop in garden beds and borders, and can even be used in rain gardens or along water edges due to its tolerance for moist soils.

Pruning Advice

When to Prune: Switchgrass requires minimal pruning, but to maintain its best appearance and encourage healthy growth, it is recommended to cut the plant back in early spring before new growth begins.

How to Prune:

In late winter or early spring (before new shoots emerge), cut back the old, dead foliage to about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) above the ground. This helps to remove any damaged or dead material and encourages fresh growth.

If the plant becomes too large or unruly, it can be divided every 3 to 4 years in spring to maintain a compact shape and rejuvenate the clump.

Additional Tips:

In areas with harsh winters, leave the foliage standing over the winter for visual interest and to provide shelter for birds. You can cut it back in early spring just before the new growth starts.

Avoid cutting back too early in the winter, as the seed heads can provide food for wildlife and offer winter interest in the garden.

Further Information

Attractive Year Round: Switchgrass offers beauty in every season, with fresh green foliage in the summer that transitions to golds and reds in the autumn. The feathery flower heads provide added interest and are often used in cut flower arrangements.

Low Maintenance: Once established, Switchgrass is drought tolerant and requires little attention. It is a hardy plant that can withstand various soil conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of garden environments.

Wildlife Friendly: The flowers attract pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. The seed heads provide food for birds in the winter months.

Vertical Structure: Its tall, vertical growth makes it an excellent choice for adding height and movement to garden designs. It works well in borders, mixed beds, or as part of a naturalistic planting scheme.

Erosion Control: Its deep, fibrous root system helps prevent soil erosion, making it beneficial for stabilising banks or slopes in the garden.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.