About

The leaves are topped with airy clouds of pink-tinged flower panicles in mid-summer. An upright, clump-forming perennial about 1.2m tall. The green leaves, to 10mm wide, begin acquiring reddish tones in mid-summer before turning a deep burgundy red in autumn and fading to a tan colour in winter.

About the genus

Panicum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, with flat, narrowly lanceolate leaves, with large finely branched panicles of small spikelets in late summer or autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation
PruningCut back clumps to the ground in late winter or early spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free