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Grass Like

Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'

switch grass 'Rotstrahlbusch'

An upright, clump-forming perennial about 1.2m tall. The green leaves, to 10mm wide, begin acquiring reddish tones in mid-summer before turning a deep burgundy red in autumn and fading to a tan colour in winter. The leaves are topped with airy clouds of pink-tinged flower panicles in mid-summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
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: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Prairie planting
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter or early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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