‘Cloud Nine’ Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Ornamental Grass
Height at Maturity:Â 7-8′
Width at Maturity:Â 5-8′
Spacing:Â 5′ for mass plantings, 10’+ for space between plants
Spacing:Â 5′ for mass plantings, 10’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form:Â Â Clumping, Grassy, Upright, Vase Shape
Growth Rate:Â Fast
Flower Color: Â Pink tinged
Flower Size:Â Small in large cloud-like panicles
Flowering Period:Â SummerÂ
Flower Type:Â Airy Spikelets
Fragrant Flowers:Â No
Foliage Color:Â Blue-Gray turning to Deep Gold and Orange shades in Fall
Fragrant Foliage:Â NoÂ
Berries:Â Â No
Berry Color:Â NA
Sun Needs:Â Full to Mostly Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average to Low
Soil Type:Â Clay, Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Moist But Well-Drained to Wet or Dry
Soil pH:Â 6.0 – 8.0Â
Maintenance / Care:Â Very LowÂ
Attracts:Â Visual Attention, Birds
Resistances:Â Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbits, Wet Soil
Description
At up to 8 feet tall and equally as wide, ‘Cloud Nine’ is an impressive giant among the Switch Grasses…and is as equally beautiful as it is large. This North American native grass forms a vase shape clump of stunning blue-gray foliage topped in mid summer by airy, pink tinted cloud-like flower plumes that persist through fall and into winter. The foliage turns handsome shades of deep gold to orange in fall and finally to a tan-beige in winter. Needless to say this one takes up space at the back of the perennial or ornamental grass garden but also stands well on its own as a specimen or centerpiece in the landscape or garden. As with others in the Panicum genus, Cloud Nine tolerates poor soil, dry or moist conditions, full sun and never needs fertilizer. Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ is a great native grass substitution for Miscanthus or Pampas Grass.
Landscape & Garden UsesÂ
Growing 7 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide, the Cloud Nine Switch Grass is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a hedge or background in landscape borders. Also effective in groupings or mass plantings on sunny slopes and embankments or as a background or centerpiece in perennial borders, bird and wildlife gardens, native plant gardens, prairies, meadows or naturalized areas. Because it tolerates dry conditions and poor soils it is a fine addition to the xeriscape (low water needs)
Suggested Spacing:Â 5 feet apart for mass plantings;Â 10 feet or more apart for space between plants
How To Measure for Total Square Feet
How Many Plants to Fill a Planting Area
Growing Preferences
A North American native grass, Cloud Nine are very easy to grow in a wide range of soil, even clay, sandy and dry soils, though they prefer the soil to be moist. They don’t like an organically rich soil so there’s no need to add compost or humus to the native soil when planting. Switch Grass grow, best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. That said, too much shade and plants might become floppy. Maintenance is minimal. No need to feed. Cut clumps back to just above the ground in late winter before new growth begins to emerge.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Switch Grasses.
How To Plant And Care For Switch Grass Plants
How To Measure for Total Square Feet
How Many Plants to Fill a Planting Area
Plant Long & Prosper!
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