Panicum virgatum Purple Breeze - Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum Purple Breeze is a beautiful compact variety of the famous Panicum, a graphic and upright grass with magnificent autumnal colours. Its green leaves, slightly bluish, partially turn reddish-purple at the end of summer. It will thrive in any well-drained soil, from moist to dry, in full sun.

Originally from the prairies of North America, the Purple Breeze Panicum belongs to the vast family of Poaceae (true grasses), whose representatives have invaded our gardens in recent years: Miscanthus, Calamagrostis, Stipas or Hakonechloa create graphic spaces with varied tones. Panicum Purple Breeze forms a relatively compact clump for this species, about 80cm (32in) tall and 60cm (24in) wide after a few years. It is a non-suckering grass: it slowly spreads through short rhizomes that increase the plant's diameter each year, without becoming invasive. The upright habit of Panicums always makes an impression in flower beds: its verticality brings a lot of presence. However, it bends slightly as it grows, which allows it to not appear rigid. In mid-summer, the plant produces generous and airy spikes that tower above the clump. A few weeks later, they take on lovely golden hues, while the tips of the slender leaves turn fiery red-purple, which lasts throughout autumn. Even the slightest breeze reveals the graphic beauty of this cultivar, which will enhance a "wild" garden.

Accustomed to the vast American spaces, Panicum can grow in any soil that is not too wet, even poor (although it will grow slightly slower). It is very hardy, and once established, it easily tolerates drought. Associate it with other grasses of different sizes, such as the enormous Stipa gigantea, but also its smaller cousin Stipa tenuifolia. Sporobolus heterolepis, with its fragrant spikes, or Eragrostis spectabilis will also make excellent companions among the grasses. Play with contrasting leaf shapes, for example with Achillea crithmifolia, a very efficient ground cover, or Phlomis fruticosa, a Mediterranean shrub with beautiful yellow helmet-shaped flowers.

Given its compact size, Purple Breeze will find its place in any garden, even the smallest ones. It will also thrive in pots, bringing life to your terrace until late in the season.