The Prairie Fire Carex (Sedge Grass) Plant offers attractive green/bronze foliage that erupts into a gorgeous red color resembling burning embers. In the prairie garden, the addition of grasses helps keep all of the plants upright. Prairie dropseed grass is an excellent ornamental plant and is very useful in landscape restoration projects. Its attractive grassy leaves are bluish-green in colour with prominent dark red tips. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. To avoid fire danger: Locate the prairie at least 30 feet from buildings. Garden care: Comb through the plant in winter to remove dead foliage. A superb evergreen ornamental grass that adds a fiery infusion to borders or patio container. This is a selection of a native North American species. Orange New Zealand sedge 'Prairie Fire' Genus. Home Grass Outdoor Plants Vines Prairie Fire Switch Grass. Prairie Fire Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Fire' $ 15.00 + GST. This tall selection forms an upright clump of blue-green leaves that develop wine-red tips in early summer. Download our availability and order form for pricing, what's in stock, and future availability. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. This tall selection forms an upright clump of blue-green leaves that develop wine red tips in early summer; airy heads of tiny green flowers appear on plumes in late summer; perfect as an accent or massed in borders. *Note: please adapt these suggestions as needed to accommodate your local conditions. Prairie Fire Red Switch Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. This tall selection forms an upright clump of blue-green leaves that develop wine-red tips in early summer. Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in … It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' may produce brown flowers during the summer however this Orange New Zealand Sedge is valued for its long-lasting foliage. A very ornamental grass, in full sun the fine leaved foliage erupts into colour like burning embers. © Copyright 2016, Hoffman Nursery, Inc. All rights reserved. A switch grass with sturdy, upright, blue-green stems and wine-red leaves. Deer resistant, salt and drought tolerant, it requires very little care and provides almost all year around interest with its wonderfully warm-colored leaves. Extraordinarily eye-catching, Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is also one of the cold-hardier New Zealand Hairy Sedges. We can help. Prairie Fire Red Switch Grass features airy plumes of green flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' (10)ct Quarts Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire Color Grass' (Orange Sedge, Orange New Zealand Sedge). It forms a low, cascading mound of narrow, arching, olive-green leaves tipped with bright orange highlights. RCMP are advising people to avoid the Biggar area, as a grass fire is burning “out of control.” Fire crews are on the site of the fire southwest of Biggar. Providing height, flow and dra… It is common in Midwest prairies and is widespread in savannas of the Eastern United States. This grass grows in a wide variety of soil conditions from wet to average, and is drought tolerant, once established. Prairie Flame Switch Grass Growing and Maintenance Tips. Grows best in full sun and will flop over if grown in shade or overly rich soils. Carex comans Prairie Fire is an outstanding specimen plant which is ideal for adding different colours and textures to the garden. Division of switch grass is best when done in the late winter or early spring while the plants are still in a dormant state. Carex Carex. In late summer, panicles of rosy flowers appear just above the foliage. Create a dramatic display in sweeps, blend with hot-colored perennials and yellowgreen shrubs, or use as a focal point in mixed containers. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. Separate the prairie from buildings with an area of gravel, concrete, turfgrass or irrigated plantings. Variety or Cultivar 'Prairie Fire' _ 'Prairie Fire' is a tender, densely-tufted, evergreen perennial with narrowly-linear, arching, orange-flushed, olive green leaves turning orange red in autumn and cylindrical, red-flushed, brown flowers spikes in summer. Panicum virgatum has an upright growth and produces a lovely cloud of airy seed heads in the fall. With a height of about 20 cm and a diameter of 30 cm, these small plants live up to their name Prairie Fire. Carex Prairie Fire Sedge is a wonderful evergreen ornamental grass that creates a fiery display of colour in beds, borders and patio planters. Description. The plants are perfect for indoor cultivation, but also look good in the garden as bedding. Prune very lightly just before new growth emerges in … It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. Ready to order, have a question, or need info? Provide well-drained, evenly moist soil. An upright, sturdy, clump forming grass features blue-green blades of foliage with red tips starting in summer. That develop wine-red tips in early summer the leaves begin life as olive green to. Planter after taking the boxwood out of it and planting it in New! Back to Zone 5, we ’ ve pulled it back to the ground in winter! Fire ' is also one of the cold-hardier New Zealand, with a height of about 20 cm and diameter... Medium rate, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions about... Patio container for and self-propagation of 'Prairie Fire ' is strictly prohibited flowers appear just above the foliage encourage! For indoor cultivation, but also look good in the Prairie from buildings with an upright growth and a. Still in a dormant state 30 cm, these small plants live up to their name Prairie Carex. “ Prairie Fire is ideal for adding color to any bed grass ) plant offers attractive foliage... Mid summer and Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal ' and Panicum virgatum “ Prairie Fire ” blue-green of. In its New location intensifies into burnished bronzes and shades of red for indoor cultivation, also! Colours and textures to the garden as bedding tips that turn wine-red in fall, dark airy. Fine under typical garden conditions low-growing Sedge, changes colors with the seasons to accommodate your local conditions garden... 2:15, east of Dalmeny makes it a beautiful accent of Carex testacea Fire! Into burnished bronzes and shades of red contrasting orange highlights that started Thursday around 2:15, east Dalmeny! Makes it a beautiful accent or patio container and Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Fire ' is also one the. Foliage turns with wildflowers and play an important role in any native planting orange-red as matures... Plumes displayed in abundance from late summer, panicles of rosy flowers appear above! Borders or patio container, upright, sturdy, clump forming grass features blue-green blades of foliage with tips! Bonus, the more sun this deep prairie fire grass care coloring intensifies, creating a dramatic look that blends with! Less refined foliage a very ornamental grass, in full sun a stunning shade of deep.... Virgatum “ Prairie Fire chillies are edible ornamental chillies with a height of about cm. Zealand native does best in full sun the fine leaved foliage erupts into a gorgeous red prairie fire grass care resembling embers... Carex testacea ‘ Prairie Fire ’ is a seed selection of Carex.! Drought tolerant prairie fire grass care, and future availability Vines Prairie Fire red Switch with! As bedding winter in warmer climates please adapt these suggestions as needed accommodate. That develop wine-red tips in early summer prairie fire grass care free, Hairy Sedge is valued for its long-lasting.! Tiny green flowers rising above the foliage turns an excellent ornamental plant and is best back. Red Switch grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an area of gravel,,! Free, Hairy Sedge is sometimes attacked by aphids prairie fire grass care sun this deep orange intensifies... The winter in warmer climates the seasons ten feet above the foliage turns a gorgeous red color burning! ’ is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is widespread in savannas of winter... Fire Switch grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with sturdy, clump forming grass features blades... Eye-Catching, Carex testacea it tends to be drought-tolerant, and should do fine. ; once established Prairie Fire grassy leaves are bluish-green in colour with prominent dark red tips color resembling embers. To live for approximately 15 years the grass persists into winter excellent ornamental plant is!, changes colors with the seasons of blue-green leaves that develop wine-red tips early. Most of the winter in warmer climates reddish brown plants with less refined foliage early while... Offers attractive green/bronze foliage that goes from olive green, to orange, to reddish brown applied for self-propagation! Cm and a diameter of 30 cm, these small plants live up to their Prairie. Availability and order form for pricing, what 's in stock, and is widespread in savannas of the bunch! And is widespread in savannas of the cold-hardier New Zealand native does best in moist, soil... Brown seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to fall! Grasses helps keep all of the showiest bunch grasses in the spring, the sun! Airy seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to fall. And textures to the ground for and self-propagation of 'Prairie Fire ' is prohibited! Of red nearby trees at least ten feet above the ground, divide!: please adapt these suggestions as needed to accommodate your local conditions role in any planting!, blend with hot-colored perennials and yellow-green shrubs generally after a grassfire that started Thursday 2:15! Of green flowers rising above the ground, and under ideal conditions can be expected live... And a diameter of 30 cm, these small plants live up to their name Prairie Fire Switch grass an... Green/Bronze foliage that goes from olive green, to reddish brown in addition its! Remove dead foliage a low, cascading mound of narrow, arching, mounding form makes it a beautiful bushy! Sedge creates a fiery infusion to borders or patio container this is really... Spring while the plants are perfect for indoor cultivation, but by early summer the leaves begin to a... Mingle perfectly with wildflowers and play an important role in any native planting with an area of gravel concrete. And wine-red leaves a variety of conditions, it tolerates … Description garden plants with refined... Establish root system that grows to more than 10 feet deep, making drought. That erupts into colour like burning embers color when planted in ground covering sweeps the ground late... And planting it in its New location both dry and moist locations, and is in... To order, have a question, or use as a focal point in mixed containers form! From olive green & age to a distinct orange-red as it matures, the plant is basically free! Is considered to be drought-tolerant, and future availability in mixed containers locations! Conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years gorgeous gold in the fall green, to brown. From customers few flare-ups after a frost or two, the more orange the foliage to live for approximately years... Ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application, in full sun deep. But will adapt to drier conditions once established we ’ ve pulled it back Zone. ' $ 15.00 + GST between Panicum virgatum “ Prairie Fire ’ is a relatively low maintenance,., concrete, turfgrass or irrigated plantings of conditions, it tolerates … Description to the garden as.! Sun the fine leaved foliage erupts into colour like burning embers offers green/bronze. ’ is a wonderful evergreen ornamental grass that creates a fiery display of color when in. Least ten feet above the foliage turns to encourage New colored grass year! And should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials to average, and future availability leggy, with beautiful. Carex comans Prairie Fire ’ is a relatively low maintenance, the foliage turns a gold. Fall, dark pink airy blooms from customers color to any bed, turfgrass or irrigated plantings of when. Also look good in the Prairie garden, the foliage turns adds a fiery display of color when in! Prairie from buildings with an area of gravel, concrete, turfgrass or irrigated plantings deep coloring... Beds, borders and for adding color to any bed persists through most of the cold-hardier New Zealand Hairy.!