Panicum virgatum #2 (Switchgrass)

Switchgrass is one of the “Big Four” dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. It is very deeply rooted, allowing it to find moisture in times of drought, and nutrients in very poor soils. It is one of the most widely planted native ornamental grasses in eastern North America due to its reliability, adaptability and beauty. This grass is very upright, growing 6′ tall, and mature clumps can be as wide as 5′! It thrives in full sun, in clay and in sandy soils. If given too much moisture, shade or fertilizer, this grass can have a tendency to flop.

Switchgrass can be used as an herbaceous hedge in the garden, used to screen unsightly views, planted as a backdrop to prairie and meadow flowers, or used to control erosion. It will self-seed in favorable conditions, making it a great choice for pocket prairies or full scale prairie restoration. It is a very useful plant for wildlife which use it as cover and for nesting material. Many birds rely on its seeds as a winter food source, and in the summer, the foliage hosts the larval stage of several butterflies such as the Delaware Skipper, Indian Skipper, and Northern Broken-Dash. It provides excellent winter interest as it rustles in the wind and it remains a substantial architectural element in the landscape. It can be cut back in spring before new growth begins, the only maintenance this grass needs to look tidy in the garden.

Sources:
Native Ferns, Moss, & Grasses by William Cullina
Gardening with Grasses by Michael King and Piet Oudolf
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
Grow Native! Salt-Tolerant Native Plants