Panicum virgatum Northwind (Switch Grass)
One of the best vertical varieties of switch grasses, Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is a deciduous, perennial grass of architectural distinction. It forms a dense, strongly upright, narrow clump of olive-green to blue-green foliage, which gets topped in late summer with a profusion of finely-textured, golden flower spikelets
One of the best vertical varieties of switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is a deciduous, perennial grass of architectural distinction. It forms a dense, strongly upright, narrow clump of olive-green to blue-green foliage, which gets topped in late summer with a profusion of finely-textured, golden flower spikelets which hover over the foliage like an airy cloud. Both flowers and foliage turn beige in fall and usually remain attractive in the garden all winter long.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 5 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 9 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
| Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses |
| Plant Family | Panicum – Switch Grasses |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm) |
| Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
| Spacing | 36″ (90cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |