Prairie Winds® Blue Spear Switch Grass

Size

Prairie Winds® Blue Spear Switch Grass stands out with wide, blue-toned foliage that appears cooler and bolder than typical switchgrass leaves. Its sharper, more architectural column doesnt wander or open up, maturing around 4852 inches tall and 2430 inches wide. Its unique fused seedheads are tighter and more consolidated than the airy cloud panicles most Panicum produce. Our designers use it when a bed needs structure, especially in modern or prairie-style plantings.Panicum virgatum Blue Spear is a warm-season, clump-forming North American native thats dependable in heat and humidity once established. Its known for drought tolerance, wind and salt tolerance, and solid winter presence since the stems and seedheads can stand well into cold weather. Deer typically leave switchgrass alone, making it a smart backbone plant in wildlife areas. Use it to punctuate mixed borders, build a repeating screen that still feels light, or cut the seedheads for fall dried arrangements.Prairie Winds® Blue Spear Switch Grass CarePlant Prairie Winds® Blue Spear in full sun for the most rigid habit and best blue-green color. Grow it in average, well-drained soil, although it will also handle sandy or clay sites. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.07.0) is ideal. It tolerates periodic wet conditions, but avoid consistently soggy winter soil where crowns can struggle.Water regularly the first season, then shift to deep watering only when the top few inches dry out, since established clumps are fairly drought tolerant. Fertilizer is usually unnecessary; if you do feed, keep it light in spring because overly rich soil can encourage weak growth. As a warm-season grass it wakes up later than cool-season grasses, so dont panic if its slow to start in spring.Leave the foliage standing through winter for texture and protection. Cut it back to 34 inches above ground level in late winter before new shoots emerge. If the clump gets crowded after a few years, divide in spring as growth begins to keep the plant growing strong. Prairie Winds® Blue Spear Switch Grass SpacingSpace plants 2430 inches apart to maintain the narrow, spear-like look without clumps merging too quickly. In containers, treat it as a thriller and use a pot at least 20 inches wide with drainage holes to keep tall stems stable in wind.Pair it with Russian sage and coneflower for a sun-loving mix that highlights the blue foliage and keeps bloom going while the grass builds height. In containers, combine it with petunias for long-season color and purslane to trail over the rim while Blue Spear stays upright and crisp.