Switch grass typically begins flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.
switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'
Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky') is an emerging native ornamental grass that is an ideal addition to any landscape. It features sky-blue foliage that is arranged in tight clumps. The feathery panicles, or seedheads, emerge in late summer and persist through winter. Switch grass is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and is moderately drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant, making it suitable for many gardens. It is an excellent choice for erosion control and can reach heights of up to 6 feet tall. Once established, its tidy clumps require very little maintenance. Switch grass adds beauty, texture, and movement to any garden while providing food and habitat for wildlife.
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:
brown,tan Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky') should be watered once or twice a week in the warmer months, and once every 2 weeks in the cooler months. It should be watered deeply so that the whole root system gets watered. During the hottest months, it may need to be watered more often than every 2 weeks in order to prevent it from wilting and drying out. The amount of water needed for each session should be enough that the soil is slightly damp but not soaked. If the soil feels too dry, then add more water until it feels slightly damp. Be careful not to over-water, as this can cause root rot.
sunlight
Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky') prefers full sun to light partial shade. It requires at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, between 10am and 4pm, when direct sunlight is the strongest. Morning and late afternoon sunlight should be filtered or indirect, as the plant is susceptible to damage from strong afternoon light or heat. During the hottest part of the growing season, additional shade may be required.
pruning
Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky') should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. The old foliage should be cut down to about 6-8 inches from the soil line. Pruning is essential for switch grass to promote strong, vigorous growth and maintain a desirable shape. Dead and old foliage should be removed to allow for new, healthy growth. Switch grass that is grown for ornamental purposes may require additional about 6-8 inches of pruning in the middle of summer in order to keep the plant from getting too tall. Pruning more than 8 inches can damage the overall shape of the plant, so it is best to avoid going too deep with sub-0 temperatures.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
Switch grass is typically harvested in late summer or early fall, so the months to start harvesting the fruits from Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky' 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 'Prairie Sky' would be August, September, October, and November.
