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:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • 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

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, 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, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

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.
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.