Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

One of the most colorful and versatile Switchgrasses around, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' begins the season by sending up an upright, narrow clump of foliage in a blue-green color that shifts early in the season to a fabulous wine red that is capped in summer by a cloud of blush-red flower panicles. This highly ornamental grass forms a dense clump that keeps its shape through winter unless blanketed by snow. Plants reach 3-4', and because they tolerate a remarkably broad range of conditions – from drought to wet soil, and air pollution to Black Walnut trees – they can be used in wide variety of gardens and landscapes. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

The genus Panicum consists of 400-500 species of annual and perennial Grasses native to a wide variety of habitats in temperate and tropical areas globally. Commonly called Switchgrass, this upright warm-season clumping Grass actively grows from June into early September, remains green (or glaucous, steely-blue, or streaked with maroon) through hot weather then goes dormant in fall. In winter, plants remain upright and leaf blades curl and fade to buff, topped by stiff stems bearing a halo of airy seed panicles that add drama and texture throughout the cold season. Switchgrass’ ease of care, deer-resistance, tolerance of salt spray, and adaptability to a wide range of soil types, nutrient, and moisture levels make it invaluable in ornamental gardens of any style. Use Panicums for screening, erosion control, mass plantings, rain gardens, xeriscapes, and in naturalistic plantings, meadows, and prairie restoration. Wherever planted, they provide beauty and important habitat, nesting opportunities and materials, along with high-value food for numerous birds, animals, and insects. The spaces between these clumping perennial Grasses make way for plants like Heliopsis and tall Asters, fostering biodiverse plant communities.

For more information on growing Panicum, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: pan' ih-kum

Although native to a wide variety of habitats in temperate and tropical areas globally, the Panicum genus in horticulture is predominantly represented by North American native Panicum virgatum species and cultivars. This exceptionally deep-rooted, upright, clumping, warm-season Grass has great ecological value. Switchgrass, as it is commonly called, actively grows from June into early September, remains colorful in hot weather, and stands tall through winter dormancy. Its ease of care, deer-resistance and adaptability to a wide range of soil types, nutrient and moisture levels – and its beauty – make it invaluable in both ornamental gardens of any style and in habitat plantings.

Growing Panicum

Light: Sun

Watering: Low-water needs. Drought-resistant once established; tolerates occasional inundation and seasonally wet soil.

Fertilizer: Not normally needed as it grows well in poor, unimproved soil. Mulch with previous season’s growth, sterile straw, or gravel, if possible. If mulching with wood products, apply sparingly and do not let it pile up around the crown.

Soil:Grows just about anywhere, from infertile sandy soils to fertile clay.

Pests/Diseases: Generally pest- and disease-free, although voles may feed on crown. Excess moisture-retaining wood product mulch can foster fungal diseases.

Dividing/Transplanting:  If the center of the plant dies out as it ages or is hollowed out by voles, dig up the entire clump with a sharp sturdy spade and cut into sections for replanting. Dividing and transplanting are best done in spring when plants are actively growing but may be done when plants are still dormant.

End-of-Season Care:  Switchgrass really stands up to winter’s fury. Refrain from cutting back Panicum Grass in the fall, as it provides habitat and food for numerous birds and beneficial insects and animals, and will enliven your landscape with fluffy seed heads aglow in the low winter sun. If some stems are knocked askew after storms, judiciously snip them for dried bouquets. Although you can cut clumps back when they turn brown in fall, we prefer to wait until spring to chop foliage down to 4-6" and use it as mulch.

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Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].