Switchgrass is a native, warm-season grass known for its tall, upright habit. Panicles of small flowers in summer are followed by attractive seed heads that provide interest and wildlife habitat well into winter.
- Easy to grow
- Leaves turn tawny-yellow in the fall
- Deer resistant
Details
- 36-48 in. tall (when in flower) and 30 in. wide
- Perennial grass that dies back in the fall and emerges again in the spring
- Hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Flowering period
Flowering begins in early summer in central North Carolina and is followed by seed heads that create interest in the winter.
How to grow
Switchgrass grows best in full sun and can tolerate both dry and wet soil.
Care and maintenance
Plants can be cut back in late winter before new growth emerges.
Where to plant
The upright, linear foliage of switchgrass provides an excellent contrast to flowering perennials. Also a great choice for rain gardens, naturalizing, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. It can be planted in mass, small groups, or as a specimen.
When to plant
Switchgrass is quick to establish and can be planted any time the ground is not frozen.
Spacing
If planting in a group, space plants three feet apart.
When will my plant flower?
Nursery-grown plants should flower in early summer if planted in the spring.
Native habitat and range
Panicum virgatum grows in open and disturbed habitats in wet and dry soils throughout most of the eastern United States.
Source and origin
Our plants are propagated by root cuttings here at the nursery.
| States | Orders up to $50 | Orders $51 to $100 | Orders over $100 |
| AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV | $16 | $18 | $20 |
| AR, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, and WI | $18 | $20 | $22 |
| IA, KS, ME, MN, OK, and TX | $20 | $22 | $24 |
| CO, NE, ND, and SD | $22 | $24 | $26 |
Sorry, we can't ship plants outside of the continental United States or to AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA due to agriculture restrictions.
When will my order be shipped?All plants are shipped within two weeks of placing an order.
Is it okay to plant in the winter?Yes, as long as the soil is not frozen. Planting native perennials in winter and early spring gives your plants a head start before the summer heat arrives.
What if it’s too cold to plant where I live, but I want to buy a plant before it sells out?Dormant plants can safely be kept in a basement, garage, or cool room until you are ready to plant in late winter or early spring.
How will my plants get delivered?Most orders are shipped on Monday or Tuesday via UPS Ground, which depending on the destination takes between 1 to 4 days.
Are your plants shipped in their containers?Yes, all our plants are shipped in their growing containers. The majority are grown in containers that are 4.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep and 32 fl. oz. / 946 ml in volume.
Do you guarantee your plants?We guarantee our plants to be healthy, ready for planting and correctly named. We are not able to guarantee whether a plant will grow in your garden as there are too many circumstances that are beyond our control.
On rare occasions, a plant shipped dormant may fail to emerge from its dormancy. If this happens, please let us know. If you are concerned about a plant, please contact us within 14 days to let us know. If we can’t help you make it grow, we’ll send you a new plant or issue a refund.
You can return your plants if you no longer want them once they arrive. To receive a refund (minus 20% restocking fee) the plants must be returned in good condition. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility.
Can I cancel my order?Yes, you can cancel your order. Please visit our terms and service page for details.
What about sales tax?We propagate our own plants and are not required to collect North Carolina sales tax.
Where can I find information about your plants?Here are some FAQ on how we grow plants.