Bring dramatic height and four-season texture to your landscape with Panicum virgatum 'Thundercloud' (switchgrass). This warm-season, clump-forming native grass grows into a strong, upright column, with blue-green foliage and an open crown of airy panicles that float above the leaves from midsummer into fall. As the seedheads mature, they continue to add movement and a soft, hazy look, and the stems can be left standing through winter for structure and seasonal interest.

At maturity, expect a tall statement plant: 84-96 inches high with a 24-36 inch spread. Use it as a vertical accent, in mass plantings, or as a living screen at the back of borders. It also works well for naturalistic plantings and for stabilizing soil on banks where erosion can be a concern.

Give 'Thundercloud' full sun for the tightest habit, though it will tolerate partial shade. Plant in average to moist, well-drained soil; once established, it can handle periods of drought, but it performs best with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells. Avoid overly rich soils or heavy fertilizing, which can encourage flopping in very tall grasses.

Maintenance is simple: cut the clump back to a few inches tall in late winter to early spring before new shoots emerge. Allow seedheads to remain into winter if you want added texture and to provide food and cover for birds and other wildlife.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 4-9 (-30 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun
• Mature height: 84-96"
• Spread: 24-36"
• Tolerant of: Deer, Drought, Salt
• Attracts: Birds
• Edible: Yes
• Good for erosion control: Yes
• Native to the U.S.: Yes

Shipping

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns

Care