Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'
Common Name: Bitter Switch Grass, Ornamental Grass
Selected by internationally renowned ornamental grass expert Rick Darke for its showy blue color and beautiful fountain-like habit, this grass 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.
'Dewey Blue' was named for a Delaware beach town, Dewey, by Rick Darke.
Panicum amarum is a native grass 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 grass is very low maintenance and easy to grow, making it a great choice for busy homeowners or beginning gardeners.
