Shenandoah Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: The foliage of this switchgrass cultivar emerges blue-green but turns burgundy with age. It has a tight upright form that resists flopping. It is tolerant of many types of soil and amounts of water. It will tolerate some shade. The species is native from Utah to the east coast.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Medium
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Medium (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, 3-6' tall): Use hand pruners or hedger to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. Trim edges. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 3-4' tall and wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Blue-green
Bloom Colors: Pink, Red
Bloom Seasons: Summer
Bloom Period: Jun - Oct

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Design Path
    • Easy Does It
  • Localscapes Path
    • Park Strip Hill
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter