The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Tag Archives: panicum northwind

Random musings

Posted on by Posted in Blooms, Ornamental grass, Shrubs .

Some thoughts as we head into the weekend:

I am now realizing the ornamental interest with Baptisia seed pods:

The grasses are starting to make their presence known:

Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’:

Panicum ‘Northwind’:

From left to right – Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’, Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’ and Calamagrostis ‘Eldorado’:

 

Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’:

 

I planted Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ in mass this spring and the color blast is most welcomed right now:

Daylily ‘Little Grapette’ is still chugging away and I am enjoying the blooms for the first time in three years as the deer have stayed away. Like I’ve always said, daylillies are the greatest:

And finally, Salix ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ is kind of liking its space. Looking at a severe pruning next winter:

 

 

Have a great one.

Panicum ‘Northwind’

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

One of my favorite things to do is purchase small plugs of plants online late in the season, stick them in the ground and forget about them. By the time spring rolls around, I pay little attention to them or don’t remember that they are even there.

If they don’t survive, I figure it was worth the risk for such a small financial investment.

But most of the time, in the spring, I’ll notice something, that isn’t a weed, is growing and I’ll have to jog my memory to remember what it actually is. Once I am able to recall said plant, I get all excited and consider the purchase a “win”.

In the Fall of 2010, I bought three tiny Panicum ‘Northwind’ ornamental grasses from Santa Rosa Gardens at a deep discount. I planted them and put them through their “test”. In year one, they didn’t do much but they looked healthy enough for me to know that they were going to be a keeper.

Fast forward to Spring of 2012 and these puppies kicked some major tail. They emerged in mid spring once the temps warmed up (hence they are “warm season” grasses) and I immediately fell in love.

As promised, they are extremely upright and I love the blue/green color of the leaves:

 

This US and Canadian native grass absolutely thrived in a full sun bed that is riddled with clay soil and drains poorly. These “switch grasses” worked well with other native perennials and grasses with their upright stature taking center stage:

 

By mid July, they began to show signs of blooming:

 

Within days, the blooms turned a pinkish shade and absolutely covered the grasses:

 

 

When in full bloom, they lent an awesome “airiness” to the their surroundings:

 

By mid Fall, the leaves began to turn yellow but the gentle blooms still persisted:

Good times, eh?
This grass typically reaches a height of about 5′ (6′ in bloom) with a spread of about 2′. From what I’ve read, it survives as cold as zone 4 and as warm as zone 9.
They held up OK after our recent storms and will hopefully do the same as we move into Winter.
Why not give ’em a try? And let me know about your successes and failures.
John