Switch grass has a strong presence in tallgrass prairies. It is a valuable food source for both songbirds and gamebirds, and mature plants provide good cover for wildlife. Skipper butterflies, such as the Delaware skipper, treat switch grass as a host plant; the caterpillars rely on the foliage of the plant as a food source.

Switchgrass is a warm-season, perennial clump-forming grass that can spread by rhizome and form dense stands. It is a versatile species that tolerates drought and excessive moisture and can be used to help control erosion. The airy seed heads and curly foliage provide winter interest in the landscape. Caterpillars of various skipper butterflies feed on the foliage.

Uses: Erosion, birds, drought tolerant, rain gardens, wildlife, forage
Bloom time: July to August (fall color is copper/brown)

Height: 36 to 60 inches
Space: 16 to 24 inches

Sun: Full sun
Moisture: Dry to moist

Seed: Sow seed January through May. 

• 200 seeds per packet
• 16,000 seeds per ounce
• 1 ounce per 500 square feet