Growth Habit / Form:   Clumping, Grassy, Upright, Vertical

Growth Rate:  Moderate to Fast

Sun Needs:  Full to Mostly Sun

Water Needs:  Average

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Maybe because they're North American natives, Switch grasses are one of the easiest ornamental grasses to grow. They do well in any soil from sand to clay, love all the sun you can give them, and stand up to adverse conditions, including drought. Growing to only 44 inches in height, 'Squaw' is the perfect Switch Grass selection for smaller garden spaces where its larger growing cousins won't fit. In mid summer airy, pink flowers in cloud-like panicles rise above the erect clump of green foliage that turns to deep burgundy with the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall. The seeds are a great food source for quail, songbirds and other birds during the winter months and foliage provides shelter. This native beauty provides both wonderful texture and color and is sure to stand out as a majestic presence in the landscape.

Switch Grasses are very easy to grow in a wide range of soil, even clay, sandy and dry soils. They don't like an organically rich soil so there's no need to add compost or humus to the native soil when planting. They grow best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade...but not too much or plants might become floppy. Maintenance is minimal. Cut clumps back to the ground in late winter before new growth begins to emerge.

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