Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’

Blooming Time

August
September
October

Exposure

True
Full Sun
True
Light Shade

This is a really terrific Panicum selection for form, function, and sheer beauty. Standing upright with tight vase-shaped habit, through the strongest winds, ‘Northwind’ is drought tolerant, colored rich blue-green, and during late summer and fall bears lovely upright floral spikes. It is great for hedging, accent, and specimen use. 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Details

Hardiness Zone:

4

Blossom Color:

Silver

Growth Habit:

Clump Forming

Max Height:

6'

Texture:

Medium Texture

Recommended Spacing:

2' to 2½'

We sell this plant in these containers:

#1 Pot
#1 Pot
#2 Pot
#2 Pot
#5 Pot
#5 Pot

Special Characteristics

True
Cuttings
True
Seasonal Effect
True
Moderate Area
True
Salt Tolerant
True
Drought Tolerant
True
Large Area
True
Deer Resistant
True
Sandy Soil Tolerant
Controls Erosion
True
Native Cultivar
True
Award Winning

Features

Native cultivar with very narrow tight vase shaped habit, soft blue-green foliage and stems, and great display of lovely fallborne flower panicles.

Landscape Value

Superb specimen, accent, companion, or hedge/screen.

Care

Watering:

'Northwind' Switch Grass is very drought tolerant and typically only needs watering during the hottest days of summer.

Fertilizing:

'Northwind' Switch Grass is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.

Pruning:

'Northwind' Switch Grass should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.

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