Panicum virgatum - seeds

Panicum virgatum, also known as Switchgrass or Tall Panicgrass, is an ornamental, compact grass with fine, bluish-green foliage that turns golden blonde in autumn, topped by tall airy panicles that mature to a deep purple. This hardy perennial adapts well to various growing conditions, preferring full sun and deep, preferably alkaline, fertile soils. Its growth cycle is characterised by a late starting late in the season.

Panicum virgatum belongs to the Poaceae family and used to dominate the fertile plains of the American Midwest, serving as a valuable forage for the vast herds of wild bison. It is a clump-forming, compact rhizomatous plant. This variety forms tufts of long, ribbon-like green leaves with a bluish hue, marked by a stiffer central vein that allows the foliage to maintain its arching and flexible habit and prevents it from flopping over in the rain. It reaches around 1.40m (5ft) high and 80cm (32in) wide when fully grown. Flowering occurs from August to October when clumps of foliage give rise to long, stiff stems covered in feathery, 50cm (20in) long panicles, consisting of countless small flowers that create a light and airy appearance. In autumn, the foliage turns blonde, while the inflorescences take on a dull pink or violet hue.

Panicum virgatum is adapted to extreme conditions and can withstand drought, cold, and waterlogged soils. It is versatile and can adapt to a variety of garden situations. this medium-sixed, non-suckering grass is useful planted towards the back of slightly wilder borders. It can be paired with tall wild asters such as Aster laevis, Aster turbinellus, as well as Helianthus salicifolius and Verbena hastata. It adapts to any well-drained soil and is particularly well-suited to coastal areas as it tolerates salt spray. Its deep root system helps stabilise and enrich soils by protecting them during winter and adding organic matter. This characteristic is widely utilised to allow other plants or crops to thrive in previously inhospitable soils.