Little Red Gem Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Little Red Gem'
Also called Red Switch Grass
Very Colourful Compact Switchgrass
Versatile Size for Containers or Small Spaces
Blue-Green Foliage turns Wine-Red in Summer
Purple-tinted Airy Panicles in Summer
Very Low-Maintenance
Drought-Tolerant
Deer-Resistant
Clumping Grass: Non-spreading
Warm-Season Grass: Warm-season grasses put on most of their growth in the heat of summer. They remain dormant until temperatures reach 15-20 degrees celcius.
Flower Bloom Time: Summer
Features:
Blue-Green Foliage with Wine-Red tips in Summer
Red Colour Intensifies as the Summer Progresses
Purple-tinted Airy Cloud-Like Panicles Appear Mid-Summer
Great Winter Interest
Drought-Tolerant once Established
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Heat-Tolerant
Pollution-Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Very Low-Maintenance
Zone: 4 (-34 Celcius)
Plant Type: Perennial
Height: 24-36 Inches (2-3ft)
Spread: 18-24 Inches (1.5-2ft)
Spacing: 18-24 Inches (1.5-2ft)
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement:
Sun to Part-Sun (at least 4 hours direct sunlight)
Soil:
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Drainage:
Moist but Well-Drained
Uses:
Raised flower beds or pots
Cut Flower
Dried Flower
Grass
Landscape
Mass Planting
Specimen
Little Red Gem Switchgrass is a warm-season grass. Warm-season grasses put on most of their growth in the heat of summer. They reach their mature height by late summer and fall after they push up their airy panicles. These grasses provide excellent winter interest. Leave their foliage in place throughout winter and then cut the clumps of grass to 6 inches above ground before new shoots appear late spring. Divide warm season grasses in spring to transplant to another area if desired.
Care:
Very easy to grow. Keep well-watered the first year to establish a strong root system. Apply an all-pupose fertilizer in spring (after pruning or planting) when new growth appears.
If growing in pots, more watering will be required. In the heat of summer, daily deep watering is recommended. In winter, water once a month to keep the plants from dehydrating due to frost.