Panicum virgatum Cloud Nine - Switchgrass

The Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine', also known as Switchgrass or Panic dress, is a variety that stands out with its tall, upright, bluish-green foliage that is particularly decorative, and its cloud-like inflorescences of golden-yellow spikelets that turn bronze in autumn. The plant then becomes entirely beige, attracting light throughout the heart of winter! This perennial grass brings changing colors, structure, and lightness to the stricter lines of the garden. Its large dimensions allow it to serve as a visual screen or even a windbreak in the background of flower beds. Hardy, it adapts to all soils, not too poor, and well-exposed to the sun. It is a vigorous plant that withstands sea spray and dry soils well.

The Panicum virgatum is a plant in the poaceae family, which once reigned over the fertile plains of the American Midwest, then constituting a forage appreciated by the immense herds of wild bison. The 'Cloud Nine' variety is somewhat of a taller and more intensely colored form of this non-spreading rhizomatous plant. This variety develops quite rapidly into large clumps of long, bluish-green to metallic blue ribbon-like leaves, very rigid and upright, almost straight. Its mature dimensions can reach 2m (7ft) in height, with a spread of 75cm (30in). The flowering takes place from August to October. Clumps of foliage emerge from long, stiff stems covered with plumes measuring 30cm (12in) in length, consisting of countless small golden-yellow flowers that then turn bronze tinged with dark pink-red, giving a feathery appearance to the inflorescence. Starting from summer, the foliage begins to change color, sporadically, at the tips of the leaves. The entire plant, foliage, stems, and flowers, becomes light beige, adding charm to the garden during winter.

European millet is mainly composed of annual species. It is from America that perennial species like Panicum virgatum come to us. Adapted to extreme conditions, Panicum can withstand everything: drought, cold, waterlogged soils. It is versatile and adapts to many situations in the garden. Non-suckering, this moderately-sized grass is highly appreciated in slightly wild flower beds. It can be associated with tall wild asters, such as Aster laevis, Aster turbinellus, Aster 'Ashvi', or Monte Casino, or even Helianthus salicifolius and hastate verbena. It adapts to any well-drained soil and is particularly well-suited to coastal areas as it tolerates sea spray. The 'Cloud Nine' variety is very tall and should be planted towards the back of flower beds, hiding views and effectively protecting against drafts.

Its deep root system contributes to soil compaction, protecting it in winter, and enriching it with organic matter. This characteristic is used on a large scale, as it allows other plants or crops to grow on poor soils where this would not have been possible before.