Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah')
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' offers striking burgundy-red foliage on a low-maintenance Switch grass structure suitable for rain gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, a striking cultivar of the native Switch grass, provides excellent vertical structure and exceptional seasonal color. Gardeners prize this variety for its rich, burgundy-red foliage, which develops rapidly by late June, offering outstanding contrast in perennial borders. As a tough, clump-forming, warm-season grass, it retains its stiff, columnar form throughout the growing season.
The appeal of Switch grass extends beyond its color; it is an important native plant component, echoing the beauty of the original tallgrass prairies. It offers low maintenance, excellent drought tolerance once established, and provides persistent winter interest with its seed heads. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is a reliable choice for sustainable and structural displays.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Ornamental grass
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: July to February
- Bloom Description: Reddish-pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ in spring or fall once the danger of hard frost has passed. This Switch grass thrives best in full sun, which ensures the best color development and strongest, most upright form. While it tolerates part shade, excessive shade causes the clump to become open and potentially flop. It happily accepts a wide soil spectrum, including dry soils, but performs optimally in moist, sandy, or clay soils, even tolerating occasional flooding.
Once established, this ornamental grass requires minimal intervention. Watering needs are medium, but it handles dry spells well due to its inherent drought tolerance. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; overly rich soils can actually encourage flopping rather than tight clumping. This cultivar grows primarily in clumps but spreads slowly via short rhizomes.
Pruning is essential for refreshing the look of your Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’. Cut the entire clump back to the ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. This cleanup revitalizes the plant and prepares it for the seasonal display of its rich foliage. Be aware that cultivars, including ‘Shenandoah’, may not reliably come true from seed.
Landscape Uses
The vertical habit and rich color of Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ make it extremely versatile in landscape design. It excels when utilized as an accent plant to provide immediate vertical punctuation or used in mass plantings to create striking, textured screens. Because it handles both moist and dry conditions, it is an ideal structural element for rain gardens and the edges of water features or bog gardens.
Consider pairing this Switch grass with contrasting textures and colors in perennial borders. Its deep burgundy foliage contrasts beautifully with silvery salvias or plants featuring bright yellow or chartreuse foliage throughout the summer. Its ability to handle erosion control also makes it valuable in native plant gardens or naturalized meadow settings where it mimics its prairie heritage.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Panicum virgatum, commonly called switch grass, is a Missouri native ornamental grass which was an important component of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large areas of the State. It occurs in both wet and dry soils in prairies and open woods, gravel bars and stream banks and along railroad tracks throughout most of the State. Switch grass is generally noted for its stiff, columnar form, and typically retains its vertical shape throughout the growing season. ‘Shenandoah’ features some of the best burgundy-red foliage of the many panicum cultivars currently available in commerce, forming a compact, narrow, erect clump topped by finely-textured, reddish-pink flower panicles in summer, providing excellent late-season interest.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Erosion
- Dry Soil
- Wet Soil
- Black Walnut
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is generally robust, exhibiting no serious insect or disease problems under proper conditions. However, susceptibility to rust can increase, particularly in overly hot and humid summer climates, requiring good air circulation. Crown or root rot is a risk resulting from improper growing conditions, often involving poorly draining soil that stays saturated for too long. Routine monitoring for minor pests like thrips, spider mites, or Japanese beetles is advisable, though severe infestations are rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Switch grass suitable for?
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. Ensure your planting location matches these requirements for best perennial performance.
How large does Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ grow?
This cultivar typically forms a clump reaching 3 to 4 feet in height and spreading 3 to 4 feet wide. Flower panicles may slightly increase the overall height in mid-summer.
What sun exposure does Switch grass need?
For the best upright habit and richest burgundy coloration, Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ requires full sun. It will tolerate partial shade, but its form may become less dense.
When does Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ bloom?
The finely-textured, reddish-pink flower panicles generally appear in mid-summer and persist well into winter, with the bloom time listed as July through February.
Conclusion
For gardeners seeking dependable structure combined with unique, deep color, Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is an outstanding ornamental grass choice. Its low maintenance needs and adaptability to various soil moisture levels—from dry patches to potential flooding—make this Switch grass a true workhorse. Before planting, confirm that your site receives adequate sun exposure to maximize the intense foliage display offered by this superior cultivar.
Companion Planting
Choosing companions that share the cultural requirements of Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ ensures a unified, thriving planting scheme. Since this grass prefers moist to wet soils and full sun, pairing it with drought-tolerant perennials that handle occasional wet feet, such as Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.) or Astilbe, works well in structured borders. For a native garden setting, contrast its deep foliage with the silvery foliage of Prairie Sage (Artemisia campestris) or shorter native sunflowers.
Seasonal Care Calendar
The primary care task for Switch grass occurs during the dormant season. In late winter or very early spring, before new shoots emerge, cut the old, tan foliage stems back to within a few inches of the ground. This practice is crucial for maintaining a clean appearance and encouraging strong new growth. Avoid heavy fertilization at any time; if soil improvement is necessary, amending drainage around the base of the clump is more beneficial than adding high-nitrogen feeds, which can cause flopping.
