Panicum V. ‘Northwind’ 2Gal

Latin Name: Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'

Common Name: Northwind Switchgrass

Zones: 3–9 (some sources list 4–9)

Height & Spread: 4–5 feet tall (with flower plumes), spreading 2–3 feet wide

Descriptive Features: A Perennial Plant Association 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year, widely regarded as one of the best switchgrass cultivars for its exceptionally rigid, upright form that holds strong through wind, rain, and heavy snow without splaying or flopping. Forms a dense, narrow, columnar clump of broad, powdery blue-green blades that provide bold vertical structure and a strikingly architectural presence in the landscape. In late summer, airy, golden-tan flower panicles rise just above the foliage in a light, textural haze, maturing and persisting through much of winter for continued seasonal interest and providing seed and shelter for birds. Foliage turns a rich golden-yellow in fall before fading to tan. As a native prairie grass with a deep, extensive root system, it's highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, from wet to dry, and tolerates both occasional flooding and drought once established. Deer-resistant and low-maintenance, requiring only a late-winter cutback before new growth resumes. Its strong vertical form and reliable upright habit make it an outstanding choice as a specimen, screen, or repeated vertical accent in formal or naturalistic borders in full sun.