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Panicum amarum (Bitter switch grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Panicum amarum
Other names
Bitter switch grass, Bitter switchgrass, Bitter panic grass, Bitter panicgrass
Genus
Panicum Panicum
Species
P. amarum - P. amarum is a clump-forming, deciduous, perennial grass with upright to arching, flat, linear, blue-green leaves and, from late summer into autumn, long, airy panicles of tiny, yellow-green to pale pink flower spikelets followed by pale brown seed heads.
Panicum amarum is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Yellow-green in Summer; Yellow-green in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn; Yellow in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Cut back in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Panicum amarum (Bitter switch grass) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Best grown in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Will lose form in too much shade. May flop in fertile soils. Primarily clump-forming but may slowly spread by creeping rhizomes. Tolerates drought and saline conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Panicum amarum
Other names
Bitter switch grass, Bitter switchgrass, Bitter panic grass, Bitter panicgrass
Genus
Panicum Panicum
Species
P. amarum - P. amarum is a clump-forming, deciduous, perennial grass with upright to arching, flat, linear, blue-green leaves and, from late summer into autumn, long, airy panicles of tiny, yellow-green to pale pink flower spikelets followed by pale brown seed heads.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green in Summer; Yellow-green in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn; Yellow in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Cut back in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Panicum amarum (Bitter switch grass) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Best grown in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Will lose form in too much shade. May flop in fertile soils. Primarily clump-forming but may slowly spread by creeping rhizomes. Tolerates drought and saline conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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