The species is native to roughly the eastern two-thirds of North America. Also appropriate for water gardens, bog gardens and along ponds. Seeds are a food source for birds in winter.Genus name comes from an old Latin word for millet.Specific epithet means twiggy. Northwind Switch Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a rigidly upright and towering form. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Japanese beetles, thrips and spider mites may appear. This is a standout in our garden that draws raves from everyone who visit… The foliage has a lovely, dark purple cast on its tips throughout the summer, but when fall hits, you won't even notice the nice airy plumes because of the dark, black-purple foliage! When in flower, flower panicles may bring total plant height to 6'. Wow! The foliage is deep green during the growing season turning golden in the fall. Panicum virgatum, commonly called switch grass, is a Missouri native ornamental grass which was an important component of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large areas of the State. A tall growing upright switch grass, the Northwind Panicum virgatum is a warm season native grass. Switchgrass is a non-invasive, non-spreading species of ornamental grass. Community Answer. Preparation. Shenandoah Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Sku #6388. 'Northwind' features one of the best vertical forms of any of the many panicum cultivars currently available in commerce. Best growing conditions:full sun; adapts to a wide range of soil conditions 2. Grows primarily in clumps, but will slowly spread by slightly creeping rhizomes. Dwarf fothergilla doesn’t spread into the woods; all it does is have sweet scented flowers in the spring, attractive clean foliage in the summer, and great fall color. For a solid Northwind Panicum hedge, space plants 20 to 24 inches apart. This upright panicum is colorful throughout the growing season starting in spring with green foliage changing to blue for summer and then golden foliage for fall and winter. Will grow in part shade, but begins to lose its form in too much shade, growing more openly and possibly falling over. It’s a versatile grass that grows in a wide range of soils and climates. Harvest the switchgrass high enough to leave actively growing weeds, then apply glyphosate at 1 to 2 quarts per acre*. Size: 4-6′ tall, 2-4′ wide 3. WOW! See more ideas about Grass, Grasses garden, Ornamental grasses. Also effective as a screen. A clumping warm season grass. The loose and open panicles (pyramidal shaped seed heads) appear in August or September, and remain attractive all winter. And the drought of '99? Grow it in full sun and a little on the dry side to bring out the metallic color of the foliage. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' Sku #2296 A compact, clumping grass with excellent vertical form. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' (Switch Grass) Switch Grass 'Northwind', Panicum 'Northwind' One of the best vertical varieties of switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is a deciduous, perennial grass of architectural distinction. McMinnville TN Plant… No serious insect or disease problems. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. The yellow flowers are golden during autumn. Beginning in late summer, a multitude of narrow, open panicles top the plant. Plant number: 8.290.230 Switch Grass is one of the easiest and most attractive ornamental grasses, with no tendency to spread or become troublesome. Northwind: Grows four to six ... My farmer neighbor is planting switch-grass in 2 fields bordering my lawn. Instead of Japanese barberry, use Dwarf Fothergilla Taking a hike through the woods and you quickly know when you find a bunch of thorny invasive barberry. Season: Summer for bluish foliage and architectural presence; fall and winter for yellow color and presence. Switch grass is generally noted for its stiff, columnar form, and typically retains its vertical shape throughout the growing season. Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Wet Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. Leaves are a bit wider than some other cultivars … PLANT DESCRIPTION: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is a sturdy upright switch grass cultivar that produces many vertical culms from short rhizomes. For more information on Northwind Panicum Switch Grass visit Horticulture Magazine. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. Tolerates occasional flooding. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring. Cool-season grasses may be a weed problem in some established switchgrass stands. Airy panicles of yellow seed heads crown the blades at bloom time. Sep 3, 2018 - Explore Liz Dutton's board "Garden grass Panicum Northwinds", followed by 190 people on Pinterest. It forms an erect, compact and narrow clump of steely blue-green foliage in spring, which quickly takes on red tones by early summer and turns violet, purple, burgundy and wine-red by early fall. This variety is one of the very best Panicum and difficult to find. All images are for reference only and may not represent the sizes of plants shipped. Switchgrass can be planted from seed using seed drills at ¼ in thick or broadcast spreaders 16. Planting & Care for Switchgrass. In summer airy reddish-pink flower panicles rise above burgundy highlighted leaves. Will grow in part shade, but begins to lose its form in too much shade, growing more openly and possibly falling over. Foliage turns yellow-beige in fall and provides good winter interest. Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal') is well named. The wide, thick leaf blades are … The fall foliage is a red to … Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' switchgrass . Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions but cultivars may not come true from seed. selected this cultivar of switchgrass. http://www.tytyga.com/product/Northwind+Switch+Grass+Plant. Pests: Pests include: grasshoppers, leafhoppers, armyworms, and Switchgrass moths 16 . In addition, its extensive root system grows 5-6 feet deep, making it a great plant to assist with stabilizing banks. 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