Panicum virgatum 'Haense Herms'

'Haense Herms' Switchgrass

A clump-forming grass that grows 4-5' tall with flower heads rising another 1' above the foliage, 'Haense Herms' offers steely blue foliage with red-tinged tips that become more prolific as the season progresses. Flower heads turn beige in fall with the seed plumes persisting well into winter. This bunch grass provides excellent cover and food for ducks, upland game birds, and songbirds.

Benefits:

Provides nest sites, protective cover and food for birds

Showy red foliage and compact form

Great winter interest

Use flowers in fresh or dried arrangements

Tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, including poor or wet soils

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grows easily in full sun.

Plant in average to dry soil.

Leave foliage in place for winter interest and to provide homes for over-wintering critters. Cut back to the ground in late winter before new growth begins..

Plants will self-sow but are not invasive.

Height 4-5 Feet

Spread 2-3 Feet

Native Range Woodlands edge, breaks, fields, marshes, prairies and roadsides; Nova Scotia to Manitoba south to New Mexico and Florida.

Native Trivia Clumping grasses like this are also known as bunch grasses. Use these grasses en masse mixed with meadow shrubs to provide ideal wildlife habitat. This kind of layout provides protective cover, quality nesting areas and open travel lanes.

USDA Hardiness Zone 2-9

"In winter, when food and cover are scarce, switchgrass is a provider of both for birds like me."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Medium to Tall Grasses	Exposure • Sun • Filtered Shade	Soil Moisture Preference • Dry • Average	Attracts Wildlife • Songbirds
Bloom Time • Summer	Habitat Collection • Wet Sun • Songbird	Foliage Color • Red