Switchgrass.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Perennial grass

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 6 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 9

Floración

Late summer to early autumn

Cuidados

Plant this grass in a spot that gets plenty of sun to keep it from flopping over. Watch for signs of overcrowding, and trim it back once a year to keep it looking fresh. It is very adaptable to different soil types as long as it gets enough light.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

Abonado

A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.

Poda

Cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring.

Trasplante

Divide the clumps every few years if the center starts to die out.

Suelo

Well draining loam or clay

pH del suelo

5.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

-30 a 35°C

Humedad

30 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Alta

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 10 plus years

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Alta

Seguridad

Personas

There are no known toxic effects to humans.

Niños

The sharp leaf blades can cause paper-like cuts on children's skin.

Alérgenos por contacto

The leaf edges can be sharp and may cause minor skin abrasions.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Comestibilidad

This grass is not intended for human consumption.

Cómo identificarla

• Tall upright clump forming habit
• Fine textured blue green foliage
• Airy cloud like flower panicles
• Golden yellow fall foliage color

Altura

0,9 a 2,4m

Anchura

0,6 a 0,9m

Hojas

green, blue-green, red-tinged, deciduous

Flores

pink, copper, purple, 15 a 45cm

Frutos

tan, brown, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Rust — Fungal spots appear on leaves during humid weather.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

division, seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

Leave the dried foliage standing through winter to provide interest and shelter for insects. Cut back to the ground in early spring.

En maceta

It can grow in large containers, but it prefers being in the ground to accommodate its extensive root system.

Plant in groups of three or more to create a naturalistic meadow effect.

Buenas compañeras

• Purple coneflower — They share similar moisture needs and provide a nice color contrast.
• Susana de ojos negros — This pairing creates a classic prairie aesthetic.
• Blazing star — The vertical spikes of Liatris complement the airy plumes of the grass.

Especies parecidas

• Andropogon gerardii — Another tall native prairie grass with a similar growth habit.

Ciencia

Familia

Poaceae

Género

Panicum

Orden

Poales

Clase

Liliopsida

Distribución natural

Central and North America

Conservación

It is a common native species and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open prairies and meadows where its deep root system allows it to withstand drought and fire.

Valor para la fauna

larval host plant, nesting material, winter food source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

ornamental grass, erosion control, prairie restoration, wildlife habitat

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

When should I cut it back?

Cut the foliage down to about 15 centimeters in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

Does it need fertilizer?

No, it is adapted to poor soils and typically does not require supplemental feeding.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Panicum comes from the Latin word for millet, while virgatum means wand-like in reference to its upright habit.

Bueno saberlo

• It is a warm-season grass that grows most vigorously in the heat of summer.
• The roots can grow as deep as the plant is tall.
• It turns a beautiful golden color in the winter.
• Switchgrass is being studied as a potential biofuel source.

También en

• Plantas resistentes a la sequía
• Plantas que los ciervos no comen