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Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'

Image of Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'

Grandiflora

Family

Poaceae

Botanical Name

Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'

Plant Common Name

Prairie Sky Switchgrass, Switchgrass

General Description

Prairie sky switch grass is an excellent native grass for large gardens. This highly adaptable, tall selection offers multi-seasonal interest. Its dense, upright blades are gray green. Plants develop and even more pronounced color when subjected to a bout of dry weather. Airy plumes appear from mid-summer to mid-autumn and give plants a soft effect. In winter the dry clumps may be left uncut to provide interest. Switch grass prefers a location with full sun and adequate soil moisture but will tolerate a wide range of soil types. If you have a spacious garden and want a pleasing airy ornamental grass, look no further. Switch grass may self sow, so it is helpful to mulch around them to deter germination. These grasses are quite drought-tolerant once established.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

  • Plant Type

    Grass

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m

  • Width

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    North America, Central America, China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Pink, Tan

  • Fruit Color

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes