‘Prairie Fire’ is a distinctly red form of switchgrass. Blue-green spring foliage turns shades of deep red by early summer and butter yellow in late fall. The grass persists into winter. ‘Prairie Fire’ has a fibrous root system that grows to more than 10 feet deep, making it drought tolerant. —Scott Vogt, “Native Grasses,” Fine Gardening #124
CarePlant in full sun, and divide every three years to manage the vigorous growth.
PropagationBy division
ProblemsBlack ring, rust, smut, leaf spots, damping off
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
- Genus : Panicum
- Plant Width : 1 to 3 feet
- Plant Height : 3 to 6 feet
- Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Uses : Containers
- Tolerance : Drought Tolerant
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Fall Interest
- Growth Rate : Fast
- Light : Full Sun
- Plant Type : Grasses
- Moisture : Medium Moisture
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Foliage Color : Purple/Burgundy
- Characteristics : Showy Fall Foliage, Showy Foliage
Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members
Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.
