Guide to growing garden plants - Panicum Switch Grass
Panicum are oriental grasses that carry leaves of 20 to 60cm in length and stems that range in height from 60cm to 1.8M in height.
There are many types of Panicum that are grown in the garden and these may be hardy annuals, half hardy annuals or hardy perennial in nature.
Panicum flower in the summer either with tiny inflorescences or silky tassels. Some common names for Panicum include Switch Grass, Panic Grass and Broom Corn Millet.
Panicum grasses can be used to make brooms; bend the grass about 60cm from the tip, and allow to dry out by hanging for about two weeks. The grass can now be cut and made into a broom.
How to grow Switch Grass
It is best to grow Switch grass and related Panicum species outdoors from seeds (or pre-purchase Panicum plants at a gardening center). The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 3mm and 30cm (small species) to 1.2M apart (large varieties). Switch grasses are able to grow in sunny or lightly parts of the garden and prefer to have a moist soil.
Caring for Switch grass - Panicum
If you want more Switch grass then they can be propagated by dividing them in the spring. It is best to divide the grass about every three years to maintain vigour.