Niagara Falls Switchgrass Stands Out with Wide Foliage
A versatile grass for the garden.
'Niagara Falls' switchgrass is a new cultivar of North America's native Panicum virgatum. This cultivar is unique among switchgrasses because of its broader foliage. Switchgrass provides seeds for ground-foraging birds and they will incorporate its dried foliage in their nests. It's also tolerant of both drought and brief flooding. With its four-foot size, 'Niagara Falls' can be used as an accent amid other perennials, shrubs and annuals, or multiple plants can form a hedge-like seasonal border or backdrop.
Common name: 'Niagara Falls' switchgrass
Botanical name: Panicum virgatum ‘Niagara Falls'
Exposure: Full sun
Flowers: Pinkish inflorescences appear above the foliage in late summer. In autumn, these become cream-colored seed heads that persist into winter.
Foliage: Long, narrow leaves grow with an arching shape. Their color during spring and summer is a powdery blue-green. Yellow tones appear in the fall.
Habit: 'Niagara Falls' switchgrass reaches four feet tall and wide, with a graceful fountain-like shape.
Related: For compact alternatives, read "Ornamental Grasses for a Small Garden"
Origin: Panicum virgatum is native to most of North America. It is most common in the central plains, where it is a key member of the tallgrass-prairie plant community. 'Niagara Falls' is a cultivar introduced by Proven Winners Perennials in 2023 as part of its Prairie Winds collection of native ornamental grasses.
How to grow it: Care is typical of a switchgrass. Site 'Niagara Falls' in full sun; shade will make it floppy. Provide regular water while it is getting established; thereafter it tolerates stints of drought as well as brief flooding. This ornamental grass tolerates any soil type and does not suffer damage from salt spray (be it from the ocean or winter road treatment).
It is a warm-season grass, so leave its old growth standing through winter; trim it back in early spring; and expect growth to resume as the soil warms. This timing will allow the grass to contribute winter beauty to the garden and to support bird life. USDA Zones 4–9.
Image courtesy of Walters Gardens
