Bitter Switchgrass (Panicum Amarum ‘Dewey Blue’)

Bitter Switchgrass

Features and Characteristics

Panicum amarum is a clump-forming, warm season, perennial beach grass that is native primarily to sandy locations in coastal areas from Connecticut to Florida to Texas.

Genus name comes from an old Latin word for millet.

Specific epithet means bitter.

‘Dewey Blue’ is a cultivar that typically grows 3-4’ tall and is noted for its attractive powder blue foliage and fountain-like form. Blue-tinged flowers appear in late summer to early fall, followed by beige seed heads that persist well into winter. Stems reportedly retain vertical form without flopping throughout the growing season and into winter.

Care and Maintenance

Grow in average, well-drained, dry to medium moisture soils in full sun to part shade. Performs well in infertile sandy loams. May flop in overly rich soils. Will grow in light shade, but begins to lose form in too much shade, growing more openly and possibly falling over. Grows primarily in clumps, but may slowly spread by creeping rhizomes. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring.

Bitter Switchgrass (Panicum Amarum ‘Dewey Blue’) Requirements

Hardiness zone	2 - 9
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Dry To Medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No known serious insect or disease problems. It is not yet fully understood how these plants will perform in the St. Louis climate.

Uses

Accent, group or mass. Borders, prairies or meadows.

Bitter Switchgrass (Panicum Amarum ‘Dewey Blue’) Details

Common name	Bitter Switchgrass
Botanical name	Panicum Amarum 'Dewey Blue'
Plant type	Ornamental Grass
Family	Poaceae
Hardiness zone	2 - 9
Water	Dry To Medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Blue Tinged
Flowering period	September - February
Height	3 - 4 Ft.
Width	2 - 3 Ft.