Switch grass 'Dallas Blues'

Panicum virgatum ‘Dallas Blues’ is a warm-season switch grass with broad, powder-blue foliage and large, airy flower heads. Its leaves turn russet-gold in fall, while the midsummer flowers mature to reddish purple and provide a long season of color and texture. ## Appearance and placement The Chicago Botanic Garden lists mature dimensions of about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It describes a mounded plant with mauve flowers and bloom periods from midsummer into fall. Use this cultivar as a specimen, in a border, or as a screen. The linked patent record identifies ‘Dallas Blues’ as the named plant. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun for the strongest growth; the Chicago Botanic Garden also lists partial shade. Average garden soil is suitable. Provide supplemental water while the grass establishes and during drought. Give the mature clump room so neighboring plants do not obscure its blue foliage. ## Maintenance Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial. North Carolina State Extension recommends pruning in late winter to early spring; the foliage and seed heads can remain through winter for texture and wildlife value. Sources: [Chicago Botanic Garden](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/panicum-virgatum-dallas-blues-switch-grass), [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/panicum-virgatum/), and [USPP11202 patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP11202P/en).