Product Description
Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'Common Name: Grass-Ornamental, Bitter Switch Grass
Zone 4 to 9, Full sun
Plants reach 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
This showy blue grass, with fountain-like habit, offers a very long season of interest in the garden. The glaucous grey-green to grey-blue leaves have an upright arching habit, which makes it a choice focal point or specimen for the center of the border. The height and habit of this plant varies depending on the soil fertility and available moisture. It is more upright and shorter in less fertile, drier soils.
In late summer or early fall (depending on your climate), strong, upright to arching stems are topped by light, airy, blue-tinged flowers followed by tan seed panicles which continue to provide visual interest well into the winter months.
Named for a beach town, Dewey, Delaware, 'Dewey Blue' is a native that is naturally found in the sandy coastal soils from Delaware to Florida and west to northeastern Mexico. It is used extensively to help stabilize sand dunes and thus grows best in dry, sandy soils. This is very low maintenance and easy to grow, making it a great choice for busy homeowners or beginning gardeners.
This is native to coastlines where the soil is sandy, dry, and infertile and the climate is sunny. Therefore, it grows best in these conditions. However, it will also grow in average to loamy soils with dry to average moisture levels. It does not perform well in clay or wet soils. Panicum is wind and salt tolerant, making it a good choice for seaside gardens or along roads that are salted in winter. No serious pests or diseases are known to affect this plant. Propagate it by division in spring after cutting the dried foliage back to ground level.
Attributes: Border plants, Cut flower or foliage, Drought tolerant, Mass planting, Rock gardens, Salt tolerant, Specimen or focal point plant, Deer resistant.
Not available for shipment to CA
Not available for shipment to CA
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!