Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'
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Common Name: Red Switchgrass  
Plant photo of: Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'
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Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Grey Green, Red

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

A smaller switchgrass, Red switchgrass grows 2 to 3 feet tall, 4 feet when in flower, and about 2 to 3 feet wide. It has slightly narrower foliage than the species, but the same blue-grey color , though with the added bonus of the new foliage being tinged red. Flowers emerge August thru September, with pink to burgundy seedheads. The plant turns red in fall, more than making up for it's demure summer appearance.