Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'

Native switchgrass is easy to grow and great for beginners and is ideal for vertical accents and containers. Forming 3’ tall vase like clumps, ‘Cheyenne Sky' has strong vertical/upright stems that develop blue/green and become streaked with dark reds as the season shapes into summer. Most switchgrass takes most of the season to develop red-streaks, but not ‘Cheyenne Sky. You’ll start to see the characteristic deep reds streak through the leaves as the grass is still reaching maturity early in the summer. In late summer the grass will extend rose & wine colored panicles that rise gently above the foliage, making for an elaborate show late in the summer and well into the winter.

Many gardeners focus solely on the visual elements of gardening. Color, texture and orientation all play a big role in visual garden design. Switchgrass has many stunning visual characteristics, but the peaceful swishing and rustling sounds it makes in a gentle breeze will also enhance the soundscape of your garden. Switchgrass is a very versatile plant. It can be used as a specimen plant to break up a garden and offer important vertical height and unique textures. It can be used to provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, especially en masse, it can be an effective plant for creating a screen or break, and makes an excellent plant for large containers. Planted in masse near a hardscape or pond, it provides a complete sensory experience year round.

Photo Credit: Walters Gardens

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Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'

Switchgrass is a versatile and easy to grow native. It tolerates almost all conditions and can even survive in standing water for a period of time. Soil quality hardly matters and it is a great plant for getting a garden started in a tough area. Once established it is drought resistant. It requires full sun, and while tolerant of shade has a tendency to split and fall without ample sunlight. It is both wind and salt tolerant, which makes it a great choice for roadside plantings.