DESCRIPTION: Northwind Switch Grass features airy plumes of rose flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are olive green in colour. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous gold in the fall. The brick red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. The tan stems can be quite attractive.

BOTANICAL NAME: Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 125 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 60 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full sun to partial shade
FLOWER COLOUR: Green turning gold in fall
FLOWERING TIME: Summer to fall
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Deep green turning golden in fall and fading to tan for winter
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up to -39.9° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Dry or Moist - Drought & Moisture tolerant
OTHER FEATURES: Border, Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Fall Colour, Native, Winter Interest

Landscape Attributes

Northwind Switch Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Northwind Switch Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Northwind Switch Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.