Clump-forming ornamental grass with a stiff, columnar habit and medium green leaves turning yellow, sometimes with orange tints in fall, fading to tan-beige in winter. Finely-textured, pink-tinged flower panicles bloom in mid-summer, turning beige in fall as seeds mature and persist into winter. Great mass planted, in perennial borders, as a screen or in naturalized areas.
All Plants :: All Ornamental Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Ruby Ribbons'
Switch Grass
Photo courtesy of Prides Corner Farms
- Summer foliage is a metallic blue with red overtones
- Fall foliage is brilliant red
Border or Bed
Cold Tolerant
Container
Cut Flower/ Foliage
Drought Tolerant
Garden
Great Foliage
Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips:
Prefers average, medium to wet, sandy or clay soil and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils and occasional flooding. Plants may flop in overly rich soils. Spreads by creeping rhizomes and can be aggressive. Cut back old foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring. May self-seed in good growing conditions. Plants can be divided every few years in early spring.
Height: 4-5 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
Price Level 1: $29.99~#2
Bloom Color:
Zone: 4-8
Additional Characteristics & Attributes:
Attributes:
- Mass Planting
- Garden
- Container
- Fall Color
- Low Maintenance
- Naturalizing
- Great Foliage
- Cut Flower/ Foliage
- Summer Bloomer
- Ornamental Grass
- Salt Tolerant
- Border or Bed
- Drought Tolerant
- Cold Tolerant
- Native
Critter Resistance:
- Rabbit Resistant
- Deer Resistant
Exposure:
- Full Sun
- Partial Sun
Habit:
- Upright
Foliage Color:
- Red
- Blue
Season of Interest (Flowering):
- Summer
Attracts Wildlife:
- Attracts Butterflies
- Attracts Pollinators
- Attracts Songbirds
Soil Moisture:
- Average Water
- Wet Soil/Wetlands
- Dry Soil
- Moist, Well-Drained
Genus Overview: Panicum
Common Name: Switch Grass
Clump-forming ornamental grass with a stiff, columnar habit and medium green leaves turning yellow, sometimes with orange tints in fall, fading to tan-beige in winter. Finely-textured, pink-tinged flower panicles bloom in mid-summer, turning beige in fall as seeds mature and persist into winter. Great mass planted, in perennial borders, as a screen or in naturalized areas.