Rotstrahlbusch Switch Grass is a dense fast-growing ornamental grass native to the prairies of North America. The stiff upright silver-green foliage begins earning red tones in summer and turning brilliant burgundy red for fall before tanning in winter. In mid-summer stems holding airy clusters of tiny pink-tinged flowers raise above the foliage like a cloud which turn brown in fall and persist through winter. Prefers part sun and moist well-drained soils.
Type: |
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Origins: |
Central and East N. America; GA Native |
Height: |
4'-5' |
Spread: |
2'-3' |
Spacing: |
2’ |
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
5-9 |
Culture: |
|
Bloom Color: |
Pink |
Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance plant. Too much shade will lose its upright form. Beetles and mites are occasional problems. Root and crown rot may occur in poorly drained soils. Some susceptibility to rust.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Garden, Wildlife Gardens, Bog Gardens, Rock Gardens, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Daisy Mum, Sedum, Tickseed
IMAGE: Photo by David J. Stang, Panicum virgatum Rotstrahlbusch 5zz, CC BY-SA 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.