Shenandoah Grasses

Description

• Shenandoah switch grass is a fast-growing ornamental grass that grows in green strands with red tips in the spring. During the summer, the leaves of the grass will begin to darken, changing from red to a deep burgundy by the time fall arrives. Also during the summer, Shenandoah switch grasses produce reddish-pink blooms as well as feathery panicles. Often used as a specimen plant, Shenandoah switch grass adds both deep color and rich texture to a garden.

Location

• Shenandoah switch grass grows best when planted in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. This means it can be grown as far north as Minneapolis, Minnesota, down through the Midwestern and Atlantic states and as far south as Houston, Texas and St. Augustine, Florida. The only places not amenable for Shenandoah switch grass are parts of southern Florida and Southern California. It is a deciduous plant and does not need to be dug up during the winter.

Needs

• Shenandoah switch grass should be planted in places where it will receive full to partial sunlight, especially in the afternoon. It will grow in most soils, ranging from dry to moist to well-drained. It can tolerate sandy, clay or loamy soils as long as the pH factor is neutral to slightly alkaline. Once Shenandoah switch grass becomes established, it only needs occasional deep watering.

Other Information

• Shenandoah switch grass can be cut and dried for ornamentation. It is also good for attracting birds to your garden. This is a non-invasive species and will not take resources from other plants in your garden. It can be grown on its own or in clumps to give your garden a prairie feel. It can be used as a ground cover plant to combat erosion and also along the edges of ponds since it can tolerate moist soil. If you live near the coast, Shenandoah switch grasses can also tolerate wind and sea spray.