Panicum virgatum 'PRAIRIE SKY'

Crab grass is a genus of about 470 species of annual and perennial grasses. They can be found in most tropical parts of the world and temperate zones of USA and Canada. In our Central European continental climate mostly switch grass is cultivated. It comes from S. Canada, USA, and Mexico. It is an ornamental grass of variable habit, mostly upright or even congested, sometimes more open and rarely with wide leaves. It flowers profusely in late summer.

Prairie Sky is considered the bluest among the very few switch grass varieties offering blue-green colour. Its flat, 1-2 cm wide leaves are upright, only tips are weeping. From late summer appear taller stems with large, sandy beige inflorescences showing off just above the foliage level.

Switch grass is quite soil adaptable - it can take dry or moist ground, but hates water-logging. It is best grown in sunny and warm areas, no fertilizing is necessary. It is recommended to tie up the leaves before winter or to provide dry mulch. Cut back in early spring after all frosts. Fully hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update: 29-05-2007, 19-02-2019