Thundercloud Switch Grass — Panicum virgatum 'Thundercloud' (GA Native Ornamental Grass)

Thundercloud Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Thundercloud') is one of the most impressive and structurally bold of the native switch grass cultivars — a tall, fast-growing GA native ornamental grass with strongly upright blue-green foliage that is exceptionally resistant to flopping even in strong wind or heavy rain, producing in midsummer an extraordinary display of airy, cloud-like clusters of tiny pink flowers that float above the foliage on tall stems like a shimmering mist, turning warm brown in fall and persisting as attractive winter silhouettes through the coldest months, while the foliage itself takes on warm yellow-beige tones for outstanding fall color. Native to the prairies and meadows of Central and Eastern North America and a Georgia native, Thundercloud is a powerhouse of ecological value — providing critical cover and nesting material for birds, food for pollinators, and structural beauty through four full seasons. Thrives in full sun to part sun in moist, well-drained soils; adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Hardy to Zone 5.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Avoid too much shade to maintain upright habit. Watch for beetles, mites, and root rot in poorly drained soils.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Bog Gardens, Rock Gardens, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Tickseed, Black-Eyed Susan, Blazing Star

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.