Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’

Burgundy Seasonal Color
Airy Summer Plumes
Upright Native Texture

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#3 Container

$26.00

11 in stock

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Red Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Red Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ is a colorful upright ornamental grass valued for green spring blades that develop rich red tones by summer and burgundy highlights in fall. Its airy plumes, sturdy clumping habit, and winter texture make it ideal for sunny borders, meadow gardens, rain gardens, and mass plantings.

Why choose Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’?

Choose Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ for its dramatic red foliage color, refined vertical habit, and multi-season landscape value. This warm-season switchgrass offers a strong upright presence without overwhelming mixed beds, pairing beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sedum, asters, and other sun-loving perennials. Its fine-textured plumes add movement in summer, while the dried stems and seed heads provide structure during the colder months. It is especially useful where gardeners want native-style beauty, seasonal color, and low-maintenance ornamental grass texture.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’
Common Name: Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’
Plant Type: Perennial ornamental grass
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping, warm-season grass

Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ Additional Information

Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ emerges green in spring, then develops red-tinted blade tips and increasingly burgundy foliage as the season progresses. In midsummer to late summer, airy flower panicles rise above the foliage, often carrying reddish or pinkish tones that soften the plant’s vertical shape. As the flowers mature, seed heads bring fine texture and can remain attractive into fall and winter.

This deciduous ornamental grass goes dormant after frost, with tan stems that can be left standing for winter interest and wildlife-friendly cover. It performs best in full sun, where foliage color and upright form are strongest, and it adapts well to a range of soils as long as the crown is not kept constantly soggy. Use Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ as a specimen, repeated accent, mass planting, rain garden feature, meadow-style grass, or colorful backdrop in sunny perennial beds.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ in full sun with well-drained soil. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill firmly, and water thoroughly after planting to settle the root zone.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish. Once established, this switchgrass handles normal garden conditions well, with supplemental watering helpful during extended dry periods or in sandy soils.

3. Pruning: Leave stems standing through winter for texture and movement, then cut back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

4. Spacing: Space plants about 24 to 36 inches apart for individual clumps or closer visual massing. Allow room for the upright habit to mature without crowding nearby perennials.

Related Resources

FAQs

How tall does Red Switchgrass 'Shenandoah' get?
Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ typically grows about 3 to 4 feet tall when in bloom, with a clump that is usually around 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity.
Does Red Switchgrass 'Shenandoah' need full sun?
Yes. Full sun encourages the strongest upright growth, best flowering, and richest red foliage color. It can tolerate light shade, but color and form are usually better in brighter locations.
When does Red Switchgrass 'Shenandoah' bloom?
Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ generally blooms in midsummer to late summer, producing airy flower panicles that rise above the foliage and mature into fine-textured seed heads.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Full Sun
Lush Foliage
Flowering

Mature Height	3-10'
Mature Spread	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
Bloom Time	Mid Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Pennisetum
Flower Color	Pink, Red
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#3 Container

Map of the United States with most states shaded green and boundary lines visible.

Growing Zones 4-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low