Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
This native grass is found in fresh or brackish marshes, wet meadows, prairies, dunes, even open wooded areas—in short, almost anywhere.
The handsome green blades reach 3 to 6 feet. In late summer, they are topped by wispy clouds of seedheads, changing appearance with each angle of the sun.
Give them full sun or a little shade, at most. Non-demanding about soil or water, the clumps slowly enlarge and are good for erosion control.
Some self seedling may occur. Foliage turns tawny brown in fall and can be cut back in spring or not. New blades will grow through it.
The variety 'Shenandoah' has red foliage.
Photo and text by Ellen Nibali