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Prairie Winds® Cheyenne Sky Red Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum PRAIRIE WINDS 'Cheyenne Sky'

Regular price $6563
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Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 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
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✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Drought resistant, Flowering, and Attracts pollinators

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Panicum virgatum PRAIRIE WINDS 'Cheyenne Sky'
  • Height
    4 ft
  • Width
    3 ft
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • Green
  • Leaf Color
    • Red
    • Green
  • Fall Color
    Tan
  • Native
    Yes
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Late Summer, Early Fall
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant in full sun where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can handle light shade, the best upright form and intense burgundy-red fall color require plenty of sun; too much shade can make the grass floppy and the color more green than red.
  • Soil: This grass is adaptable and thrives in average, well-draining soil. It tolerates clay and sandy soils well, but avoid boggy or constantly wet spots which can cause root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply once a week to help the root system establish. Once established, this switch grass is quite drought-tolerant and only needs supplemental water during prolonged dry spells to keep the foliage looking fresh. Consistent moisture helps maintain the best color, but overwatering can lead to weak stems.

Pruning Tips

This is a warm-season grass, meaning it actively grows later in the spring. Cut the foliage back to about 3 to 4 inches above the ground in late winter or very early spring before new green shoots appear. Leaving the foliage standing through winter provides landscape interest and protects the crown, but cutting it back clears the way for fresh, vigorous new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Switch grass generally does not require heavy feeding and often performs better in leaner soils. If growth seems sluggish, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers later in the season, as this can cause lush, weak growth that flops over instead of standing tall.

Wine-red waves of grain? Introducing the Prairie Winds® Cheyenne Sky Red Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum PRAIRIE WINDS 'Cheyenne Sky') that is wonderfully resilient in cold and brings tallgrass prairie vibes in a compact, space-saving size!

From the plant experts at Proven Winners®, Cheyenne Sky forms a tight, v-shaped, 2-3 foot tall clump of gorgeous blue-green foliage! Standing upright with its blade tips gracefully arching downward for a lovely fine-textured fountain effect.

The real show starts in early summer when the tips of those arching blades turn wine-red! Then by late summer, the plant is almost entirely saturated in color and crowns itself in wine-red flower plumes!

Panicum Cheyenne Sky is hardy enough to withstand the cold winter throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9. The plumes and blades persist for winter interest in the garden and, unless covered in snow, will turn a shade of tan. This warm-season grass may show up to the spring party late, but shows off big time for the rest of the year!

Planting and Application:

This versatile Ornamental Grass is great in containers, mass plantings, or can stand alone! Plant in any sun garden bed or container garden to gain a color-changing and easy-care Ornamental filler! Cheyenne Sky Red Switch Grass offers a relaxing, soft rustling sound as it sways in the breeze, and also adds a great visual interest in the sunny landscape. Get the look of prairie grass without sacrificing space!


Prairie Winds® displays a nice architectural touch in the perennial border, giving you winter texture and interest where many plants die back during the coldest months. Topped by 1-foot tall blooms of burgundy that make fine indoor fresh and dried cut flowers and attract birds in the autumn garden, Cheyenne Sky is a masterpiece in a manageable size and form! Add to your Rock gardens and Sensory Gardens to enjoy rugged texture and beauty!

  • Blue-Green Foliage Turns Wine-Red Summer to Fall
  • Wine-Red Late Summer Plumes
  • Bird-Friendly Winter Interest & Bouquet Additions
  • Very Easy to Grow & Compact Size
  • Edging, Groupings, Specimen, Containers & Garden Accent

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Switch Grass is indifferent to heat, humidity, drought, wind, and salt! The full sun is best for this heat-loving, warm-season Ornamental Grass! Cheyenne Sky thrives in most well-drained soil types and is a low moisture use plant once established. However xeric grasses can be, they do look best when provided a drink during extended drought. This warm-season grass should be cut to the ground each year in late winter or early spring before it starts to grow, and can be divided if the clump gets too large at that time.

  • Full Sun Lover
  • Low Moisture Needs Once Established
  • Any Well-Drained Soil Type
  • Divide Every 3-5 Years
  • Prune Early Spring

Switch Grass is a carefree presence you will appreciate anew with each seasonal color change! Choose a winter hardy, wine-red Ornamental Grass from Proven Winners® and Nature Hills Nursery this year! You'll enjoy having Prairie Winds® Cheyenne Sky Red Switch Grass light up your landscape, but only if you order yours soon!

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