Species switch grass
pink-green foliage

switch grass

Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun'

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun') is a North American native warm-season grass. It grows to 4-6 feet in height and features beautiful reddish-brown foliage in the spring. Switch grass is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, making it a low maintenance option in the garden. It adds dramatic texture and movement to a garden, and can be used to provide a privacy screen or windbreak. This plant is highly adaptable and thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. It is low maintenance and great for conservation land or for meadows. Switch grass' deep root system makes it a great choice for controlling erosion, and it provides nectar for pollinators.

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:

Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun') should be watered deeply and consistently to encourage healthy root development and growth. During the growing season, water the switch grass at least once a week to maintain adequate moisture levels in the soil. If the weather is extremely hot and dry, water the plant more frequently. In general, 1 to 2 inches of water per week should be sufficient. In the winter months, switch grass should be watered less often. Once every 3 to 4 weeks should be sufficient. Avoid overwatering the plant, as this can cause soggy soil conditions that may lead to root rot and other diseases. When watering, focus the water onto the soil around the plant, rather than directly onto the foliage.

sunlight

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun') prefers full sun and requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. It does best in areas with direct sunlight during the morning and mid-afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day and excessive exposure to the sun. Morning sun is beneficial for its growth and helps the plant produce more pollen and flower more quickly, meaning more flowers in the summer and autumn months. The plant can tolerate light shade but can become weaker and more prone to disease and pest problems. Full sun will be beneficial for its health and growth.

pruning

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before the new growth begins. To keep the switchgrass looking its best, annual pruning is recommended. Pruning is done to control the height, to maintain a shape, and to remove any dead or diseased foliage. When pruning switchgrass, it is important to avoid cutting down to the ground; this will weaken the plant and reduce its vigor. Instead, light pruning can be done by cutting out the dead, diseased or weak foliage right to the ground, and trimming any excessively tall stalks. The aim is to encourage new, healthy growth. With pruning, switchgrass may reach heights of 2 to 5 feet.

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 'Rehbraun' 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 'Rehbraun' would be August, September, October, and November.

Hardiness Map