Species switch grass

switch grass

Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'

Switch grass, or Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues', is a North American native grass known for its drought tolerance and infrequent need for maintenance. This warm-season perennial is incredibly versatile, as it works well in a variety of soils, from wet to dry and wind-tolerant, and can be used for both ornamental landscaping and wildlife conservation. It grows in a dense clump and produces striking blades of blue-gray foliage highlighted with a purple tinge. This undemanding species will bring lasting beauty to any landscape, with blooms in the summer followed by a striking golden color in fall.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Pink-tinged Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Humus rich, Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained

Fruits:

blue,purple Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Switch grass requires moderate watering. Water until the top inch of soil is moist to the touch. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering, but do not allow it to dry out completely. This plant is tolerant of dry spells, so don't worry if you forget to water it sometimes. In the summer, water switch grass plants every 1 to 2 weeks. In the winter, water on the lower side and only water every several weeks.

sunlight

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues') prefers full sun, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This is the best kind of exposure for optimal growth, as this perennial prairie grass is used to growing in the high-light conditions of its native habitat. If the sun is particularly intense in your climate, it can be helpful to provide some light afternoon shade. Without enough direct sunlight, plants may become weak and less vigorous, losing their wide, upright habit and drought tolerance.

pruning

Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth appears. It is best to remove only the dead, damaged, or diseased foliage and stems. Pruning should be done selectively, as the plant will naturally form an attractive mound or clump shape. Cut the foliage to within 6-12” of the ground. Prune any upright stems if they outgrow the norm or if they become too dense, as this can cause fungal issues. Utilizing a sharp, clean set of shears, prune off only 1-third of the stems each year.This helps to ensure the grass maintains a healthy density and shape.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Switch grass typically begins flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

Switch grass is typically harvested in late summer or early fall, so the months to start harvesting the fruits from Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' would be August, September, October, and November.

Starts Flowering

Switch grass typically begins flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

Switch grass is typically harvested in late summer or early fall, so the months to start harvesting the fruits from Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' would be August, September, October, and November.

Hardiness Map