Panicum virgatum Northwind - Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum 'Northwind', also known as switch grass, stands out from other varieties with its upright habit and broader leaves, which are a very blue-green colour. This tall perennial grass resembles a cloud when it blooms in summer, with large, airy panicles in pink. The entire plant takes on a lovely blonde hue in autumn and maintains a magnificent habit in winter. It impresses with its extreme adaptability to all kinds of soils, as long as they are not too poor. Once established, it can tolerate summer drought but requires full sun to thrive. This non-invasive plant is a reliable choice for the garden, both powerful and light as air.

Panicum virgatum belongs to the Poaceae family, which once ruled the fertile plains of the American Midwest, serving as a fodder for the immense herds of wild bison. The variety 'Northwind', discovered in 1992 in an Illinois nursery, is a variant of this non-spreading rhizomatous plant with a distinctly upright habit and broader foliage. This semi-evergreen grass develops rapidly into beautiful clumps of long, ribbon-like, green-blue leaves, measuring 1.5m (5ft) in length, with only the tips arching. They are marked by a stiffer central vein that allows the foliage to maintain its upright posture and prevents it from drooping in the rain. Its mature dimensions range from 1.5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) in height and almost as much in width, depending on growing conditions. Flowering occurs from August to October. Clumps of foliage emerge from long, stiff stems covered with large, airy panicles measuring 40cm (16in) in length, made up of countless small flowers tinted dark pink, forming a cloud. In autumn, the foliage and flowers take on golden hues, lasting until winter. This variety remains ornamental throughout winter.

European millet is mainly composed of annual species. Perennial species like Panicum virgatum come from America. Adapted to extreme conditions, panicum can withstand anything: drought, cold, and waterlogged soils. It is versatile and adapts to many situations in the garden. Non-suckering, this tall grass is highly appreciated at the back of slightly wild beds, planted as a screen. It can be planted with tall wild asters, such as Aster laevis or Aster turbinellus, or even Helianthus salicifolius and Verbena hastata. It can also form large groups near bodies of water. This plant is particularly well suited to coastal areas as it tolerates salt spray. It is a wonderful structural plant, perfect in a large container on a patio to create a minimalist scene in a contemporary style.

Its deep root system (up to 2m (7ft) deep) helps break up soils, protecting them in winter and enriching them with organic matter. This characteristic is used on a large scale as it allows other plants or crops to grow on poor soils where it would not have been possible before. Switch grasses remain decorative even in winter, where they provide shelter for birds that also feed on their seeds.