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Common Name: Switch Grass

General Information

Panicum virgatum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.80 metres tall.
The plant is grown as a biomass crop and can be used in soil stabilization projects. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

North America - from Mexico north to Southern Canada, but not on the west coast.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Habit	Perennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
There are several named forms, developed for their ornamental value[].
Plants have particularly heavy growth in late spring and early summer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A valuable soil-stabilization plant[].
This species is being researched as a potential biomass crop[].
The plant is sometimes used as a windbreak in crop fields[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a week. Prick out the seedlings into trays or individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts[, ].
Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.