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Dream Catcher® Smoky Rose® Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum ‘Dream Catcher Smoky Rose’

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Perennial
$6548
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This grass needs at least 6 hours of direct sun to maintain its upright structure and deep rose-pink colors. While it can survive in partial shade, the stems will likely "flop" over as the plant stretches toward the light, and you will lose that signature smoky intensity.
  • Soil: It thrives in almost any soil type from heavy clay to sandy loam, as long as it is not sitting in a swamp. For heavy clay, mix in a few handfuls of compost at planting to help the roots penetrate the soil more easily during the first season.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply twice a week to ensure the root system reaches deep into the soil profile. Once established, this Switch Grass is incredibly drought-tolerant and can handle dry spells without supplemental water. If you keep the soil too wet or use inconsistent overhead irrigation, you may notice the foliage losing its crispness or the plant becoming overly lush and weak.

Pruning Tips

Since this grass is a warm-season grower that blooms on new wood, you should cut the entire plant back to about 3 or 4 inches above the ground in late winter or very early spring. Think of this like a "reset button" that clears out the old, tan debris to make room for the fresh rose-colored blades. If you wait too long into spring to prune, you might accidentally snip the tips of the new emerging growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the new green shoots appear. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages soft, weak growth that will collapse under the weight of winter snow or heavy rain. This plant actually prefers leaner soil, so "less is more" when it comes to feeding.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6 Week of March 2nd
Zone 7 Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12 Week of February 15th


Shipping Rates

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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The Dream Catcher® Smoky Rose® Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Dream Catcher Smoky Rose') is a stunning native ornamental grass that brings soft color, motion, and texture to your garden from midsummer through winter. This warm-season perennial features upright, non-floppy blue-green foliage topped with rose-blushed flower plumes that sway gently in the breeze. The pink-tinged panicles emerge in mid to late summer, aging gracefully to a smoky tan that lasts well into winter, catching frost and snow like a dream!

Standing 3-4 feet tall and spreading 2-3 feet wide, this grass grows in a neat, vertical clump. The slender stems stay tidy and upright, even in strong winds or heavy rain, without staking. In the fall, its foliage transforms into a soft golden yellow, adding warm color to the autumn garden. The airy flower heads produce seeds that not only add texture but also feed small songbirds.

Native to the tallgrass prairies of North America, Switch Grass (sometimes spelled as one word Switchgrass) has been beloved for generations thanks to its resilience, adaptability, and beauty. The Smoky Rose® cultivar was selected for its more compact form and richly colored plumes.

Key Features

  • Rose-pink flower plumes in summer
  • Blue-green foliage turns golden in fall
  • Upright 3-4 foot tall clumping form
  • Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance
  • Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4-10
  • Bird-friendly and shelter
  • Deer-resistant

Landscaping Uses

Landscaping with this perennial grass is easy! This upright Switchgrass adds graceful height and motion to nearly any garden style. Grows 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.

  • Accent plant in borders or island beds
  • Wildlife and native plant gardens
  • Massed for texture and seasonal interest
  • Along fences, driveways, or walkways
  • Rock Gardens and tough urban sites
  • Edges of Rain Gardens and swales
  • Mixed with wildflowers or perennials
  • Great erosion control

Care & Maintenance

Dream Catcher® Smoky Rose® is a warm-season clumping perennial grass that's as tough as it is graceful. It's a reliable performer in USDA zones 4 through 10. Thriving in heat, humidity, drought, or clay soil, it's an ideal choice for low-maintenance landscapes, wild gardens, and restoration projects alike.

  • Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is recommended. Read how to plant it here!
  • Sun Requirements: Full sun for best color and flowers
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils
  • Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established. Use the Finger Test to check for watering needs
  • Arborist Mulch: Add a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to help retain moisture
  • Fertilization Needs: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in spring if desired
  • Pruning Info: Cut back to a few inches in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear
  • Special Perks/Growing Tips:
    • Deer-resistant
    • Handles salt and pollution
    • Great for erosion control

Catch The Smoky Glow

With graceful plumes and golden fall color, Dream Catcher® Smoky Rose® Switchgrass is a standout from summer through snow. Order your Dream Catcher® Smoky Rose® today and bring texture, movement, and native charm home from naturehills.com!

Growing Zones 4-9

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