Red Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: Clump-forming ornamental grass with excellent fall color. Long slender green leaves turn bright red in the autumn, fading to tan in the winter. Panicles of airy seedheads bloom in mid-summer and are tinged with pink. Provides interest if left through the winter. Cut back in early-spring before new foliage appears. Tolerates alkaline soils and some drought. 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: 4-5' tall x 2-3' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Pink, Tan
Bloom Seasons: Late Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Sep
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)
Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Unknown
Garden Location:
-
Not on display
- Not on display
-
Spring -
Summer -
Fall -
Winter
