Panicum virgatum 'Purple Tears'PBR
switch grass 'Purple Tears'
An upright, deciduous, clump-forming perennial grass to 120cm in height, with flat, soft grey to mid-green foliage. Tiny purplish-red flowers are held in airy, open panicles at the end of wiry stems from late summer into autumn, followed by purple seedheads
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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