Northwind Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Northwind Switch Grass - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Northwind Switch Grass highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodFall
Growing Zones 3-9
The Northwind Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'), is a very upright and erect growing warm-season Ornamental Grass, known for its tolerance for heavy snow load. A wonderful textural and structural element for your landscape!
The strong, upright growing blades are a solid, deep-green during the growing season, before turning golden in the fall. Holding this fall color through the winter! Easy care and very low maintenance, this grass sways and rustles in the breeze, offering sensory elements to the garden!
The tall, delicate inflorescences are golden-yellow and rise gracefully above the foliage during autumn, persisting all winter to offer four-season interest! You'll love the swaying, airy motion these lend to the garden atmosphere!
Planting and Application:
Northwind is an excellent background plant, providing structure, motion, privacy and texture to the garden and landscape! It is quite handsome when used in groups or as an accent plant. Coastal gardens and formal gardens both benefit from this tough grass! Mixing and mingling well with all colors, they add grace, color, plus texture year-round!
Since this grass tolerates wet soils, it is a fine choice for water gardens or along stream banks, water features and rain gardens or where the gutters drain. Deer avoid this water-wise plant so it's great for en masse in out-of-the-way areas. Ornamental grasses are amazing in the perennial and butterfly gardens, or with prairie natives and Xeriscaping, plus it provides excellent cover and food for wildlife.
- Deep-Green Ornamental Grass
- 6-Foot Tall Upright Form
- Foliage and Flowers Turn Golden in Autumn
- Dense, Upright Selection of a Native
- Winter Interest, Sound, Color, Texture, Motion!
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Northwind is spreading, easy-care, versatile and tolerant of a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and is an improved form of the native. Hardy USDA zones 3-9, it's a warm-season perennial grass, so don't be alarmed if it's not growing in early spring. Switch Grass loves moist, well-draining, fertile soil. However, it also tolerates sand, dry soils and slopes, and boggy areas. Even doing well in clay conditions, alkalinity, occasional drought, moderate salinity, and incidental seasonal flooding!
- Full Sun & Part Shade
- Moist to Dry (Once Established) Well-Drained Soil
- Easy To Grow - Incredibly Versatile & Adaptable
- Deer-Resistant
- Warm-Season Grass Variety
- Tolerates Snow Load
Northwind is tough! Add drama and grace to your landscape without the fuss. Northwind Switch Grass is a popular plant that always sells out fast here at Nature Hills so order yours now!
