Shenandoah Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

Nature Hills Nursery

Shenandoah Switch Grass Transforms from Blue-Green to Burgundy to Electric Orange for Year-round Color Drama
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Red, Pink Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container #2 Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this grass full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily to achieve its signature red foliage. While it survives in partial shade, the leaves will remain mostly green and the stems may become floppy or loose.
Soil: This rugged native is adaptable to various soil types, including clay and sandy textures, as long as the drainage is good. If your ground stays soggy, consider planting in a raised berm to prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

Focus on consistent moisture during the first growing season to help the deep root system establish, checking the soil weekly. Once established, Shenandoah Switch Grass is highly drought-tolerant and handles dry spells with ease. Inconsistent watering during extreme heat might lead to browning leaf tips, but the plant generally recovers quickly when conditions improve.

Pruning Tips

Since this is a warm-season grass, you should treat it like a perennial and cut it back just once a year. Wait until late winter or very early spring to shear the entire clump down to about 3 or 4 inches above the ground before new green shoots appear. Leaving the foliage up through winter protects the crown from cold and provides interesting texture in the snowy landscape.

Fertilizer Needs

Go easy on the fertilizer because this native grass thrives in lean soil and rarely requires extra feeding. If you must fertilize, apply a light, balanced granular formula in early spring as new growth emerges. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers later in the season, as they force rapid, weak growth that causes the grass to flop over rather than stand upright.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Clay Tolerant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Salt Tolerant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Clay, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Red, Pink
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
Species	virgatum
Cultivar	Shenandoah
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Consistently Showy Shenandoah Switch Grass

Blue-Green Foliage Deepens to Burgundy
Pink-Tipped Seed Heads from Midsummer
Gilded in Fall With Electric Orange Hues
Slender Vase-Shape
Fine-Texture
Year-Round Interest
Grows Fast
Versatile
Tolerates Both Periodic Drought and Flooding
Deer Resistant
Full Sun or Partial Shade
Hardy
Easy Care

Welcome each spring with fresh new blue-green foliage emerging from the old crown of this native grass. The lush, erect blades of Shenandoah Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah') grow quickly and deepen into a beautiful, burgundy hue.

This is a hardy accent grass that brings color, movement and an airy texture to the landscape. No wonder they've earned their place on the hottest plant lists!

After all, Switch Grasses have been a beautiful addition to the vast native North American tallgrass prairie ecosystem since time immemorial. Bring the restful charm of Shenandoah Switch Grass to your space, no matter how small.

They can easily be kept in tall outdoor containers as a very effective "Thriller" for many years. You'll be pleased to see how sophisticated this improved modern cultivar looks on an urban balcony or Roof Garden!

Watch the ornamental development over the growing season. People across the country love the shimmering reddish-pink flowers that develop at the top of the long stalks in early summer.

The long-lasting display looks great all season...especially as the breeze picks up and the wind ripples through the narrow blades. Sit back and savor each of the varied color tones; watching as flashing sunlight picks out each tiny seed panicle.

This easy-care plant requires very little care. Shenandoah makes an exceptional choice for busy professionals and young families who demand low-maintenance easy gardens.

Shenandoah Switch Grass grows fairly tall, but features a narrow, upright nature. It is a boon for beginning gardeners with a tough, durable selection that thrives in most soil types.

Place your order for Shenandoah Switch Grass this season. You'll love the cloud of airy seed heads held high above the erect, purple-toned foliage.

How to Use Shenandoah Switch Grass in the Landscape

This exceptional grass can be used to make a bold statement. Plant long rows for a garden feature that is at once modern and formal.

Space them 30 inches apart to line the front of your shrub border with a handsome hedge. Or spread them out to create a geometric checkerboard, so the kids can make happy memories playing hide and seek behind each clump.

Commercial property owners can take this same concept and use it on a grand scale. Frankly, nothing could be easier or more attention-grabbing... simply mow between the "squares" of Shenandoah.

Plant these dynamic grasses as an attractive fill plant in your mixed borders and at the edge of water gardens. Repeat them through your planting bed to keep the eye moving.

If you have a special garden sculpture or special boulder, highlight it with a few Shenandoah Switch Grasses at the base. Every time the wind blows, your guests will turn towards this focal point.

Because this special grass can tolerate wet soils, you can grow a mass planting on the berm in a planned Rain Garden. Put plants to work filtering potentially polluted water runoff from roofs and streets before it flows down the storm drain.

Shenandoah Switch Grass also becomes a terrific contrast against selections like Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass and Purple Fountain Grass. Mix and match from our vast collection of Ornamental Grasses to create a naturalized area of your yard.

Add in several of our native plants, such as prairie perennials to recreate a slice of that tallgrass prairie on your lot. What could be a better legacy to leave for pollinators and songbirds?

#ProPlantTips for Care

Full sun is best for this grass, although it does tolerate part shade better than most. It needs at least four hours of sunlight a day for the best foliage color and fall color.

It is a huge relief to know that this durable landscaping choice can tolerate clay, sand, and even periodic flooding and drought. However, our plant experts do recommend that you provide adequate water for best results.

Containers must be deep enough for their robust root system. Keep up the consistent water, as container-grown plants won't survive dry soils.

Shenandoah Switch Grass is a warm-season grass, and may be slow to wake up from winter dormancy. Be patient with it!

Once you start to see the very first signs of life in early spring, cut back all the stems down to the crown. It won't take long for your Shenandoah to start shining again!

This versatile cultivated Ornamental Grass thrives in a variety of conditions and makes the most of many different garden applications. Order Shenandoah Switch Grass from Nature Hills today!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones is Shenandoah Switch Grass hardy in?

Shenandoah Switch Grass is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. This native prairie grass tolerates both extreme cold and heat while thriving in most soil conditions. Plant in spring for best establishment in your zone.

What type of soil does Shenandoah Switch Grass prefer and what pH range?

Shenandoah Switch Grass thrives in most soil types with excellent adaptability. This tough native tolerates both drought and flooding conditions, making it perfect for challenging sites. Plant in well-draining to clay soils with pH 5.0-8.0 for best results, available at naturehills.com.

How often should I water newly planted Shenandoah Switch Grass?

Water newly planted Shenandoah Switch Grass deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. This drought-tolerant native establishes quickly in most soil types. Reduce watering frequency once you see new growth, typically within 3-4 weeks.

When does Shenandoah Switch Grass bloom and what color are the flowers?

Shenandoah Switch Grass produces shimmering reddish-pink seed heads in early summer that persist through fall. The pink-tipped panicles develop from midsummer and create a long-lasting ornamental display. Plant in full sun for the best flower color and production.

Is Shenandoah Switch Grass deer resistant?

Yes, Shenandoah Switch Grass is deer resistant. This native prairie grass's tough foliage naturally deters browsing deer while providing beautiful burgundy color and pink-tipped seed heads. Plant it in problem areas where deer damage other perennials, available at naturehills.com.

Will this grass survive harsh winters without protection?

Shenandoah Switch Grass is extremely winter hardy as a native North American prairie grass. This tough perennial survives harsh winters without any protection and emerges with fresh growth each spring. Simply leave the dried foliage standing through winter for added interest, then cut back in early spring.

Shenandoah Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'