Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Purple, Red

 

Flower Season

Fall

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Grey Green, Grey

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Showy Flowers, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Roadside, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Dallas Blues switchgrass is a dense, erect grass known for it's steely gray-blue foliage, which is wider than most panicums, and turns shades of rust brown to warm tan in winter. Stems typically retain vertical form without flopping throughout the growing season and into winter. Foliage clump is topped in early September by large, finely-textured, purple-tinged flower panicles that hover over the foliage like a cloud. Seed plumes persist throughout winter, providing visual interest as well as food for birds. Grows about 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.

Panicums are Plains' natives, and they require full sun and well drained soils. Will grow in clay. Over-fertilizing or over-watering will cause the grass to flop. Cut back in late winter, see Guides. No serious pest or disease problems. Though clumping, it may slowly spread by rhizomes, but is not considered invasive. Deer and rabbit resistant.