If you are using your switch grass in a perennial border, there are many late-blooming perennials that make fine companions. My favorite switch grass is ‘Heavy Metal.’ I first saw this plant from a tour bus at Longwood Gardens in 1992. I have not seen that the deer use it much in my hunting area, but I assume in areas with limited cover, they would use it more. Panicum virgatum L. Southlow Michigan Germplasm S witchgrass The USDA-NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center (PMC), the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources released a source-identified ecotype of switchgrass in 2001 for the Great Lakes region. Ornamental grasses are an enormous group of plants whose popularity has altered our perception of perennial gardening. As a warm season grass, switchgrass thrives in the heat of summer but goes dormant in the cold winters. Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that is native to much of the United States including Virginia. Clumps of switch grass expand so slowly that they may not require dividing for 10 years or longer. I have often equated dividing ornamental grasses to dividing the trunk of a tree. Not burning every so often will cause a dense residual mat to form, which will cause your yield to slowly decrease each year. It has metallic gray-blue leaves on a 3- to 4-foot tall plant. The larger size of this switch grass makes it ideal as a visual barrier or background plant. In recent years interest in biofuel research has generated substantial interest in developing new varieties of Switchgrass as well as new management strategies. You may need to adjust the planting time to your growing region. Height can range from 3 feet to as tall as 7 feet. Russian sage (Perovskia) offers lavender flowers above silvery foliage that grows 3 to 4 feet tall. Northern upland switchgrass typically lives on ridgelines and in prairie areas in states such as South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Planting switchgrass for deer habitat does make some sense, but I have never been a big fan of it. A herbicide can be applied within a few days of planting switchgrass and should control any weeds, as well as the small grain crop. The purple flower sprays that emerge in late summer are followed by its bright yellow fall color. Since alot of people plant their foodplots and other crops in the spring, they automatically assume that is the time to plant switchgrass as well. Switchgrass seed is the only warm season grass type that is smooth and therefore will run through conventional planting equipment. That’s why it is important to control weeds prior to seedbed preparation. It’s easier with a chain saw, but an axe or hacksaw will do the trick. switchgrass Michigan NRCS technical specialists have determined . Grazing is generally not recommended the first year, but a vigorous stand can be grazed late in the year if grazing periods are short with at least 30 days of rest provided between grazings. It’s easier with a chain saw, but an axe or hacksaw will do the trick. This allows the new growth to begin unencumbered by last year’s old growth. These guys are the experts. The soil temperature should be over 60 degrees when you plant. As a general rule, you should seed between May and mid-June. Ornamental grasses are an enormous group of plants whose popularity has altered our perception of perennial gardening. Others found solace with upright sedums like. If warm-season grasses are planted too late and the weather is hot and dry, the seedlings may not establish quickly. and garden phlox, as well as native prairie plants such as purple coneflower, rudbeckias, sunflowers, bee balm, and Liatris. The showy stonecrop sedums (Sedum spectabile) include several varieties like ‘Autumn Fire,’ ‘Neon,’ and ‘Pink Chablis.’ These offer some interesting flowers as well as foliage for the autumn garden. Planting switchgrass for deer habitat does make some sense, but I have never been a big fan of it. Switchgrass can be established on a variety of soils including the dreaded sandy soil. In other words, none of them are runners, which can quickly outgrow their allotted space and become a nuisance. Some grow in sun, others in shade. IA CP23 Standard $ 115.00 /acre. Switchgrass, ‘Cave-In-Rock’ A rhizomatous, upland warm season bunchgrass; a good biomass producer; a favorite for reclamation and wildlife. In an established, well-managed switchgrass stand, an application of an herbicide to control broadleaf weeds once or twice every ten years should be sufficient. This allows the new growth to begin unencumbered by last year’s old growth. Switch grass is a versatile plant that provides year-round interest with minimal care. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native warm-season grass that is a leading biomass crop in the United States. The soil is disturbed less, and as switchgrass plants mature and develop more tillers, they will shade weeds and become more competitive. Switchgrass should be seeded between May and mid-June. Some gardeners rebelled and began using smaller evergreen shrubs. However, over the years I have gotten the look from more than one person when I tell them that I plant switchgrass for whitetails in February and early March when the ground is still partially frozen. For the competition study, a randomized complete block design was installed June 2009 at two locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener‘Heavy Metal’One of the most valuable ornamental grasses is switch grass (Panicum virgatum). Switchgrass is one of the easiest forms of wildlife cover to plant and if planted correctly, switchgrass can be fully established after only 2 Summers of growth! Switchgrass is one of the easiest forms of wildlife cover to plant and if planted correctly, switchgrass can be fully established after only 2 Summers of growth! This publication provides planting information on forage species that have proven track records and are therefore recommended for use in Michigan. IA CP25 30-10 Standard $ 110.00 /acre. Related products. Do you recommend frost seeding only for this product or could I see similar success by planting in the spring on a freshly worked seed bed? Many of these grasses are associated with native prairies, barrens and savannahs. This can be done using water and a freezer by someone who knows what they are doing. In other words, none of them are runners, which can quickly outgrow their allotted space and become a nuisance. These unusual leaves grow on a 6-foot tall plant that develops 2-foot long, football-shaped flower heads of purple-blue that turn to a rich orange-tan by fall. The stem is round, hollow, and usually, has a reddish tint. The only maintenance your switch grass will require is a trim to about 6 inches in late March or early April. Buy now . Besides providing winter interest, grasses have fall color, move beautifully in the wind, and most have flowers that last long into the winter. This breed does not mind the cold and can survive harsh winters, as is the case with many things from the north. optimum planting depths and timing for switchgrass in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is more and more difficult to find an American garden without an ornamental grass. Plants can be transplanted or divided with less stress and with less water. That summer I don’t believe we had much but the following year we had a very nice stand in all but a few of the fields. When the mowed area grows back green a few weeks later, spray glyphosate (roundup) to kill the new vegetation. Cave-n-Rock switchgrass is a perennial, warm season native grass that grows an average of 3-5 feet tall, but in some regions, can reach up to 6 feet tall at maturity. Hines Horticulture‘Shenandoah’Fall is a wonderful season to garden. I could not believe how stiff and upright this tight clump grew. David Lowry, assistant professor of plant biology at Michigan State University worked with a team to evaluate the traits of switchgrass hybrids they planted in 10 locations from Texas to South Dakota. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to seedhead formation. ‘Dallas Blues’ bears very wide leaf blades of powdery blue. Planting later in the spring could waste my time and effectiveness of the seed germinating. The best time to plant switchgrass is in the winter. This issue sponsored by: Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener‘Rostrahlbusch’ switch grass in the summer.by George Papadelis. This exceptional, strong grower will usually produce substantial plants faster than other varieties. Jared Day 19: Final Hunt Before The Break, Drake’s Blog | Public Land Push, Shotgun Season Day 2, Mike’s Blog | Laying Eyes On An Urban Shooter, Josh’s Blog | Back To Work, Cruising Bucks. Your county Michigan State University Extension office has soil test kits available for a small fee and can analyze samples for you. Photo: Dennis Pennington. The only switchgrass I have ever planted was “pre-stratified”. I think that is ideal. cation. are clumpers. The fall flowers emerge pinkish, reddish, or silvery and mature to a grayish white or brown. To control weeds during establishment, mow switchgrass to a height of 4 inches in May or 6 inches in June or July. Its light blue leaves hold up great in strong winds. Needless to say, switch grasses are very versatile plants. In early spring, say early to mid march in the upper Midwest you can Rick demonstrates how tall Switch grass gets. Switchgrass (SG) was widespread in open areas before settlers populated an area and remained in one place year after year. When your clump eventually does grow too wide for your garden, you’ll need to dig up the entire crown to divide it. The huge flowers are the most wind responsive of any of the switch grasses; the slightest breeze will send your garden into a long mesmerizing dance. Plant in early spring. Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener ‘Rostrahlbusch’ switch grass in the summer. Plant during the period April 15 to June 15. It's the best time to plant switchgrass, since it gives the roots time to get established before the temperature gets too hot. In areas with little fall vegetation, such as a recently … They will tolerate almost any kind of soil from wet to dry and from sand to clay. This mismanagement weakened the stands and eventually led to their demise. It is important to plant into a warm, moist soil. In late summer, red flowers emerge that mimic the red leaf color. It produces yellowish flowers in late fall that blush to tan for a winter show. They are extremely diverse too. Researchers at Michigan State University will use a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to fight disease in switchgrass by identifying regions of the genome that cause disease resistance. The small grain should be killed with herbicide to remove competition with the switchgrass seedlings. The seed seller (Prairie Seed Farms) did that in advance. The showy stonecrop sedums (. Before ornamental grasses, perennial purists struggled to find plants that provided winter interest and yet died down to the ground like the rest of the garden. One year, I planted 250 acres of pre-stratified seed in the spring with a no-till drill on a farm in which I was part owner. Use switchgrass massed or in groups at the back of perennial borders, in mixed plantings or in prairies and native gardens. Before planting cool season grasses and legumes, the soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.0. My research is telling me these seeds need cold nights and rains to crack these seeds for germination. Plant as soon as the soil is workable but before the last frost. Weeds can also be a problem in these conditions. The purpose of a native grass planting is to establish a vegetative cover of native grasses that will enhance the landscape. All switch grasses are clumpers. ‘Shenandoah’ is a shorter variety, only growing to 3 feet tall. You can also plant cool season grasses during August; however, spring plantings are more successful. There are several switchgrass varieties to choose from and its high tolerance for different planting sites makes ornamental switchgrass a great choice for any landscape. I think that process of freeze/thaw cycles is called “stratifying”. Ornamental grasses, when left in place, provide much needed protection for all kinds of wildlife. If soil moisture and temperatures allow it, early seeding is preferred. The best time to plant switchgrass is in the winter. Its other distinction is its deep red leaf color that starts in June and intensifies as the season progresses. Before you grab those hedge shears, even though cutting back ornamental grasses may not harm the plant, there are still a whole host of great reasons to leave them standing until spring. Michigan State University . They prefer full sun but will tolerate light shade. by George Papadelis. Mark E. Griffin. Cool-season grasses may be a weed problem in some established switchgrass stands. Get to know this valuable group of plants; every American garden should have some. All rights reserved. June 10, 2019. 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