Panicum virgatum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’
Blooming Time
Exposure
With upright broad vase shaped habit and spread of 3 feet, this popular drought tolerant selection displays attractive medium grayish green foliage during the growing season and interesting open airy flower panicles in mid summer – which persists through fall and well into winter. Then in fall the leaves turn bright red, the brightest red fall color of the Panicum selections; and later dry to a tan brown and persist this way through the winter months. This selection, like other switch grass cultivars, is tolerant of infertility and should be grown in mineral soil. If given too much moisture or too rich a soil it may fall over when weighed down by heavy rains.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Red
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
4'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Native cultivar with broad vase shaped habit of rugged gray green leaves that turn bright red in fall. Open airy reddish flower panicles borne mid summer through fall.
Landscape Value
Superb specimen, accent, companion, or dwarf hedge. Also excellent as a large-scale ground cover when mass planted.
Care
Watering:
Red Switch Grass is very drought tolerant and typically only needs watering during the hottest days of summer.
Fertilizing:
Red 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:
Red 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.