Panicum virgatum Cheyenne Sky - Switchgrass

The Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky' is a new variety of upright Panic or Switchgrass that closely resembles the 'Squaw' variety but is more compact in growth and has even more colorful foliage. This medium-sized perennial grass colors its leaves a bluish-green turning to wine-red in July, and its cloud-like inflorescences are remarkably purple until autumn. Excellent in every way, this plant provides a dazzling display at the end of the season, whether in the ground or in pots, when the sun bathes its vegetation in warm tones. Panics are among the most easily grown ornamental grasses in all climates: they are perfectly hardy, very adaptable to different soil conditions, and they tolerate summer drought once established.

The Panicum virgatum is a plant in the Poaceae family that once dominated the fertile plains of the American Midwest, providing valuable forage for the huge herds of wild bison. The 'Cheyenne Sky' variety, recently introduced in the USA, is a slightly smaller and intensely colored form of this non-spreading rhizomatous plant. This grass develops fairly quickly into a large upright clump composed of long ribbon-like leaves, marked by a stiffer central vein that allows the foliage to maintain a slightly arching habit while preventing it from bending in the rain. It reaches a mature height of around 80-85 cm (32-34in) and a similar width. The foliage is bluish-green until summer. With the arrival of heat, it gradually turns dark red, purple, and coppery orange. The coloration is even more intense when there are significant temperature variations between day and night. Flowering occurs from August to October. Clumps of foliage emerge from long erect stems covered with 30 cm (12in) long plumes consisting of countless small flowers that turn dark purple when ripe, giving the inflorescence a feathery appearance.

European millet is mainly composed of annual species. Perennial species such as Panicum virgatum come from America. Adapted to extreme conditions, Panicum 'Cheyenne Sky' can withstand anything: drought, cold, waterlogged soils. It is versatile and adapts to many situations in the garden. Non-suckering, this medium-sized grass is highly appreciated in slightly wild borders and works wonders in containers on the terrace. It can be paired with tall wild asters like Aster laevis, Aster turbinellus, Aster 'Ashvi', or Monte Casino, or even with Helianthus salicifolius and Verbena bonariensis. It also tolerates coastal conditions and salt spray.

Its deep root system helps to improve soil structure, protecting it in winter and enriching it with organic matter. This characteristic is used on a large scale because it allows other plants or crops to grow in difficult soils where it would not have been possible before.