About
A deciduous, clump-forming perennial grass, to 90cm in height, with striking, steely blue-green leaf colour, which takes on tones of violet, purple, burgundy and wine red in late summer then forms stiff, dense clumps which persist through winter. Tiny purplish-red flowers are held in airy, open panicles at the end of wiry stems from late summer into autumn.
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, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; see ornamental grasses cultivation for further information
PruningRemove dead foliage and flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free