- Botanical name: Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
- Common name: Switchgrass
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Pink
Purple
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
- Autumn colour
- Flowers
- Low maintenance plant
Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a perennial, deciduous grass native to the prairies of North America. In gardens, it’s particularly valued for the upright foliage, masses of hazy flowers in early autumn followed by gorgeous autumn colour.
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ is a lovely variety with green blades, the tips of which turn carmine-red in early summer. Pink-red flowers then appear in early autumn. It looks fabulous planted in bold clumps that can sway in the breeze. Later in autumn the foliage turns a dramatic shade of yellow.
For best results, grow Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ in full sun in well-drained soil. Leave the seedheads and foliage alone until February to provide winter interest, then cut right back to make way for new growth.
How to grow Panicum 'Shenandoah'
-
Plant size
90cm height
90cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Panicum 'Shenandoah' and wildlife
Panicum 'Shenandoah' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Panicum 'Shenandoah' poisonous?
Panicum 'Shenandoah' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Panicum 'Shenandoah'
