Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 36–72 in tall and 24–36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Warm-season prairie grass; airy pink flower clouds; bluish foliage turns red-gold in fall.
Colorado nativelow to medium water36–72 in tall and 24–36 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Panicum virgatum
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 36–72 in tall and 24–36 in wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom time
- late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Switchgrass good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Switchgrass is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a perennial suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Switchgrass get?
- It matures to about 36–72 in tall and 24–36 in wide.
- How much water does Switchgrass need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Switchgrass native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
