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.

Guide botanique

Switchgrass.

Panicum virgatum

Prononciation PAN-ih-kum ver-GAY-tum

Aussi appelée Blackwell Switch Grass, Old Switch Panic Grass, Switch Grass, Switchgrass, old switch panicgrass, wand panicgrass

Switchgrass is a sturdy, North American prairie native that brings wonderful texture to any garden. It is a clump forming perennial grass that stands tall through the winter months. You will love how it adds movement and height to your landscape.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Perennial grass
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 7 à 14 jours
Taille adulte: 3 to 6 feet
Croissance: Rapide
Rusticité: USDA 3 à 9
Floraison: Late summer to early autumn

Entretien

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.

Arrosage: Keep the soil consistently moist until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.
Engrais: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Taille: Cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring.
Rempotage: Divide the clumps every few years if the center starts to die out.
Sol: Well draining loam or clay
pH du sol: 5.0 to 7.5
Température: -30 à 35°C
Humidité: 30 à 70%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Élevée
Durée de vie: Perennial, typically 10 plus years
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Élevée

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Sécurité

Humains: There are no known toxic effects to humans.
Enfants: The sharp leaf blades can cause paper-like cuts on children's skin.
Allergènes de contact: The leaf edges can be sharp and may cause minor skin abrasions.
Allergènes aéroportés: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Comestibilité: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur: 0,9 à 2,4m
Envergure: 0,6 à 0,9m
Feuilles: green, blue-green, red-tinged, deciduous
Fleurs: pink, copper, purple, 15 à 45cm
Fruits: tan, brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

Rust — Fungal spots appear on leaves during humid weather.

La cultiver

Multiplication: division, seed
Quand planter: spring, autumn
Hivernage: Leave the dried foliage standing through winter to provide interest and shelter for insects. Cut back to the ground in early spring.
En pot: It can grow in large containers, but it prefers being in the ground to accommodate its extensive root system.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the sections immediately at the same depth.

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

Bonnes associations

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

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille: Poaceae
Genre: Panicum
Ordre: Poales
Classe: Liliopsida
Région d'origine: Central and North America
Préservation: 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.

Intérêt pour la faune: larval host plant, nesting material, winter food source
Pollinisateurs: abeilles, papillons
Utilisations: ornamental grass, erosion control, prairie restoration, wildlife habitat

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND

Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 5/9
Lumière: 8/9
Température: 5/9
Humidité: 4/9
Nutriments: 3/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

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.

Aussi dans

Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.