Panicum virgatum - panic grass

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Native Wetland Plants

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass

More About Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum, Panic grass, is a colonizing perennial grass that grows in large clumps 3-6' tall with sturdy, flat, glossy leaf blades. When used in prairies and bottomland sites, Panic grass develops long rhizomes that grow horizontally to interlace and form a thick, dense sod used for revegetation, restoration, and erosion control projects. Panic grass tolerates partial shade and is found in a range of moisture levels from dry, to mesic, to moist wet habitats. Panicum virgatum will handle spring flooding but not that of a persistent high water table. Provides thatch for ground nesting birds and is a great fall food source.

Bloom Color

Yellow

Panicum virgatum Characteristics & Attributes

Exposure
• Sun
• Partial Shade
Mature Height
• > 4'
Spread Characteristics
• Clumping
• Prolific Seeder
• Rhizomatous - Slow
Season of Interest (Flowering)
• Summer
• Fall
Season of Interest (Foliage)
• Summer
• Fall
Pond Zonation
• Flood Plain - Upland
• High Marsh - Saturated Soil
Foliage Color
• Blue
• Burgundy
• Green
• Red
• Silver
Wildlife Benefits
• Cover
• Food
• Nesting
• Songbirds
• Waterfowl
Critter Resistance
• Deer Resistant
• Goose Resistant
Wetland Indicator Status
• FAC
• FACW
Plant Type
• Warm Season Grass
Attributes
• Bio Remediation
• Container
• Cut Flower
• Drought Tolerant
• Erosion Control
• Fibrous Roots
• Focal Point
• Great Foliage
• Mass Planting
• Native
• Naturalizing
• Rain Garden
• Salt Tolerant
• Specimen
• Storm Water Basin
• Winter Persistant
USDA Hardiness Zone
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9