Hot Rod Switch Grass is a dense clumping native grass with stiff upright blue green foliage that transitions to red then deep burgundy by fall. In mid-summer stems holding airy clusters of tiny purple 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.
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Type: |
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Origins: |
Central and East N. America; GA Native |
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Height: |
3' - 4' |
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Spread: |
2' - 3' |
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Spacing: |
2' |
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USDA Hardiness Zone: |
4 - 9 |
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Culture: |
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Bloom Color: |
Purple |
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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: Salvia, Blanket Flower, Shasta Daisy
IMAGES: Photos by Matt Lavin- Panicum Virgatum (1), (2), (3)
