Panicum virgatum Shenandoah - Switchgrass

The Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', also known as Switchgrass or Upright Panicgrass, closely resembles the variety 'Squaw', but its growth is more compact and its foliage even more colourful. This perennial grass of medium size colours the tips of its greenish-blue leaves burgundy red from July onwards, and its cloudy inflorescences are remarkably coloured from summer to autumn. Excellent in every way, the plant offers a dazzling spectacle at the end of the season, when its vegetation is completely invaded by a palette of red, dark copper, and purple tones. It also captivates with its flexible, upright, and arching habit, and its extreme adaptability to all kinds of soils, although not too poor. This sturdy and hardy perennial tolerates summer drought once well established, but requires full sun to give its best. All the shades of autumn in one plant!

Panicum virgatum is a plant of the poaceae family, which once reigned over the fertile plains of the American Midwest, then constitutes a forage appreciated by the immense herds of wild bison. The variety 'Shenandoah' is somewhat of a reduced and intensely coloured form of this non-spreading rhizomatous plant. This variety develops quite rapidly into large tufts of long, ribbon-like green leaves with bluish reflections, marked by a stiffer central vein that allows the foliage to maintain its arching and flexible habit, but prevents it from drooping in the rain. Its adult dimensions will reach around 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) in height and almost as much in width. Flowering takes place from August to October. Clumps of foliage emerge from long, stiff stems covered with plumes measuring 30 cm (12in) in length, consisting of countless small flowers tinted dark pink-red, giving a feathery aspect to the inflorescence. From summer onwards, the foliage begins to change colour, sporadically, at the tips of the leaves. The entire plant is adorned with shades ranging from red-burgundy to brown, passing through copper and violet, a whole palette of very spectacular tones that play with the light. The colouring is even more intense if there are large temperature differences between day and night. This is the variety with the most remarkable colours, both in foliage and flowers.

European millet is mainly composed of annual species. It is from America that perennial species like Panicum virgatum originate. 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 modest-sized grass is highly appreciated in slightly wild borders. 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 salt spray.

Its deep root system helps to stabilize 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 inhospitable soils where it would not have been possible before.