Panicum V. ‘Cloud Nine’ 4Gal

Latin Name: Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'

Common Name: Cloud Nine Switchgrass

Zones: 5–9

Height & Spread: 6–8 feet tall (with flower plumes), spreading 3–4 feet wide

Descriptive Features: One of the tallest and most dramatic switchgrass cultivars available, forming a substantial, upright clump of broad, powdery blue-green foliage that provides a bold, architectural presence in the landscape. In late summer, airy, cloud-like panicles of tiny pinkish flowers rise well above the foliage in a delicate haze, catching the light beautifully and creating movement even in the slightest breeze. Foliage turns warm golden-yellow in fall, and the flower panicles mature to a fluffy tan that persists through much of winter, offering excellent multi-season structure and providing seed and cover for birds if left standing. As a native prairie grass with a deep, fibrous root system, it's highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, from wet to dry, and tolerates occasional flooding as well as drought once established, thriving in heat and humidity. Deer-resistant and low-maintenance, needing only a late-winter cutback before new growth resumes. Its towering height and airy texture make it an excellent choice as a specimen, seasonal privacy screen, or dramatic backdrop for large borders and naturalized plantings in full sun.