Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Grasses & Sedges / Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) Photo by Robert M. Kline, 2016-04-20, private garden, Arlington, Virginia.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in July. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-07-11, Rockville, Maryland.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in July at the National Garden, US Botanic Garden.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in landscape. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-08-01, Rockville, Maryland.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in September at the National Garden, US Botanic Garden.
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) as part of a riparian buffer
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in rain garden in October. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-10-03, Rockville, Maryland.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in October in a rain garden in a verge.
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) with persistent seedheads in January in a commercial landscape.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Once the dominant species of the North American tallgrass prairie, this native* warm-season grass is noted for the open, airy appearance of its seed heads and the multi-season interest of its foliage. Many ornamental cultivars are available. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Grass Flowers, Plant in Summer, En Masse in Fall Height: 3–6 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom color: Pink-tinged Characteristics Stiff, vase-shaped, clumping, warm season, deciduous perennial grass with deep, fibrous roots On round green culms, narrow, glabrous/pubescent blue-green leaves turn yellow in fall & tan in winter Pink-tinged flower spikelets w/ staminate lower florets form airy panicles above foliage June–October; fruit grain (caryopsis) displays August–November Forms colonies thru rhizome spread & self-seeding Attributes Tolerates drought, air pollution, salt, Black Walnut No serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Winter interest; palatable forage grass Controls erosion and stabilizes soil through root system reaching depth of 10 feet Food source and cover for birds; larval host to ~28 lepidopterans including a variety of skippers Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun (best), Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Bambusa, Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa spp - Bamboo Miscanthus sinensis - Chinese Silver Grass Water Requirements: Moist Cut back to 8 inches in late winter or early spring Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass Avoid excess shade, fertilizers; extreme flammability rating so do not plant near house *It is native to DC. In DE and MD, it is common in the Coastal Plain. In PA, it is found in scattered counties with concentrations along the Delaware River. In VA, many herbarium species are only partially mapped. Current mapping shows this species is found throughout VA except for its south central and southwestern counties. Use as accent plant, screen, or mass planting in borders, meadows, water-wise, or rain gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, Arlington, VA and Rockville, MD

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

Once the dominant species of the North American tallgrass prairie, this native* warm-season grass is noted for the open, airy appearance of its seed heads and the multi-season interest of its foliage. Many ornamental cultivars are available.

*It is native to DC. In DE and MD, it is common in the Coastal Plain. In PA, it is found in scattered counties with concentrations along the Delaware River. In VA, many herbarium species are only partially mapped. Current mapping shows this species is found throughout VA except for its south central and southwestern counties. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets