Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'
switch grass 'Prairie Sky'
'Prairie Sky' is a deciduous perennial grass to 1.5m in height with flat, narrow lance-shaped, blue-green leaves from spring to summer, turning orange-yellow in autumn. Drooping branched panicles of small blue-green spikelets are borne in early autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Blue Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue Green | |||
Autumn | Blue Green | Orange Yellow | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Panicum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, with flat, narrowly lanceolate leaves, with large finely branched panicles of small spikelets in late summer or autumn
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in mid-spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Wall side borders
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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