(Panicum)

This genus contains almost 500 species of annual or perennial grasses. Some species are useful as ornamentals, like the ever-popular Panicum virgatum, or Virginia switch grass. Other species, like the annual Panicum miliaceum (millet), are useful grains. These grasses may be adapted to a wide variety of climates, topographies, light-levels and soil conditions.

(Bitter Panicgrass, Coastal Panicgrass)

Bitter panicgrass's tall stems and leaves of mild blue-green color are topped by thin spires of yellow-green spikelet flowers by very late summer. A perennial warm-season grass that forms a clump, it is native to the southeastern third of the United States, eastern Mexico and the Caribbean islands, in coastal and inland sandy soils.

The grass blades are long and green to blue-green, held upright but arch over midway in their length. By late summer, a tall, think flowerspike rises up from the...

(Bitter Panicgrass, Coastal Panicgrass)

The steel blue leaves of ‘Dewey Blue’ make this selection of Bitter Panicgrass a striking ornamental, especially when it is topped by plumes of yellow-green spikelet flowers in very late summer. A perennial, warm-season grass that forms a clump, the parent species is native to the southeastern third of the United States. This selection tends to readily spread by rhizomes (underground stems) to create a large, flopping mass of leaves.

The leaves are long, narrow and powdery steel blue, held upright...

(Switchgrass)

If you have a spacious garden and want a pleasing airy ornamental grass, look no further. The highly adaptable and ornamental switchgrass offers interest throughout most of the growing season. This very hardy perennial bunchgrass is native to the fields and prairies of the United States and Canada. It has a tall upright habit and is popular for native gardens with a soft and natural feel.

The blades of switchgrass are long, narrow, densely packed and upright. Foliage color varies from medium...

(Cloud Nine Switchgrass, Switchgrass)

As the name would suggest, this is one tall switchgrass. The big bold 'Cloud Nine' has soft gray-green foliage and bears large airy floral plumes in summer.

The highly adaptable and ornamental switchgrass offers interest throughout most of the growing season. This very hardy perennial bunchgrass is native to the fields and prairies of the United States and Canada. It has a tall upright habit and is popular for native gardens with a soft and natural feel.

The blades of switchgrass are long,...

(Dallas Blues Switchgrass, Switchgrass)

Dallas blues switch grass is a superior native grass for the garden. This highly adaptable selection is tall and offers multi-seasonal interest. Its dense narrow, upright blades are steely blue-green and become even bluer when subjected to a bout of dry weather. Large airy plumes appear from mid-summer to mid-autumn and give plants a soft effect. In winter the dry plants may be left uncut to provide interest. Switch grass prefers a location with full sun and adequate soil moisture but will tolerate...

(Switchgrass)

This tall switchgrass has exceptionally large grassy panicles that appear in summer above its bold blades that turn shades of orange and red in fall. The highly adaptable and ornamental switchgrass offers interest throughout most of the growing season. This very hardy perennial bunchgrass is native to the fields and prairies of the United States and Canada. It has a tall upright habit and is popular for native gardens with a soft and natural feel.

The blades of switchgrass are long, narrow,...

(Heavy Metal Switchgrass, Switchgrass)

Heavy metal switch grass is an excellent native grass for the garden. This highly adaptable, compact selection offers multi-seasonal interest. Its dense narrow, upright blades are almost metallic silvery blue as its name suggests. 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...

(Prairie Fire Switchgrass, Red Switchgrass, Switchgrass)

The foliage of 'Prairie Fire' turns burgundy red in early summer, long before other cultivars turn color. It is one of numerous selections of a switchgrass, a hardy, adaptable, and ornamental perennial bunchgrass native to fields and prairies of the United States and Canada.

The blades of this switchgrass are long, narrow, densely packed and upright. It forms vigorous clumps that spread over time and become quite bushy. Large airy pinkish floral plumes appear from midsummer to mid-autumn on...

(Prairie Sky Switchgrass, Switchgrass)

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...