Grass, Cheyenne Sky Switch
Cheyenne Sky Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'
Height: Typically 24–36 inches tall in Michigan’s cooler climate
Spread: Approximately 18–24 inches wide
Spacing: Plant 18–24 inches apart for a tidy, impactful landscape display
Growth Rate: Medium
Native to: North America
Description
Cheyenne Sky Switch Grass is a stunning, compact perennial that delivers a bold splash of color and texture to your landscape. This delightful switchgrass forms an attractive, upright clump of blue-green leaves with prominent burgundy tips that begin their transformation early in summer. By late summer, airy panicles of tan flowers gently rise above the foliage, creating a visually striking statement that endures into fall as the leaves shift to a gorgeous coppery-bronze hue.
Perfectly sized for Michigan’s cooler climate, this versatile ornamental grass thrives in full sun (at least 5–6 hours of direct light daily) and adapts well to a range of soil types—though it prefers well-drained, fertile conditions. Cheyenne Sky Switch Grass is low-maintenance and deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for border plantings, mass plantings, and even container displays that add a refreshing, dynamic element to any landscape.
General Care
- Sunlight: Performs best in full sun; can tolerate partial shade if provided at least 5–6 hours of direct light.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; amend heavier soils to improve drainage.
- Watering: In Michigan’s cooler climate, water regularly during the establishment period (allowing the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings) and reduce frequency once established.
- Pruning: Minimal maintenance is required—simply cut back the old, dead foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh, vigorous growth.
Cheyenne Sky Switch Grass is a polished, eye-catching addition to any landscape, offering year-round visual interest and a striking textural contrast that elevates your outdoor space.
