Does anyone here have seeds of Panicum virgatum varieties such as Shenandoah, Hans Hermes or Northwinds. Appreciatively - From Dave in Tallahassee, Fla. zone 8

It will be difficult or impossible to find a grass as tall and as upright as 'Northwind.' It is, by far, my favorite switch grass, because of its erect habit and the way it holds its blooms inside the tops of the foliage.

Thanks. I just wish they'd put that energy into leaves right now. I'm not sure what is causing it, the plants look very full and healthy, are growing well and are planted in nice deep sandy loam in full sun. A choice spot. Must be the weird weather. We were so hot in April until mid May (in the upper 80's and 90's) but the evenings were cool. There are a few others around the city and I have NEVER seen them bloom until late August or early September. Just weird.

I'm in central Oklahoma smack in the middle of the Great Plains which is prairie grass country. It can get quite humid here, especially in June and we got some flooding last year--- the LBS did fine. Its sort of up to anything our weather can dish out and that involves extremes in many directions. We are famous for either too wet or too dry. Too cold or too hot. LBS only tends to flop in overly rich garden soil or too much shade. Lean soil is best. You can check around and find the best genotype for your local conditions in the form of bulk seed, I understand most of the US has it listed as a native grass. Your 45 degree angle description sounded like it would have fast run off so seems it would would be dry in summer? The best cultivar type for avoiding flopping is 'Blue Heaven' and its got great color in late summer and fall. It also seems to be more shade tolerant than all the others, surprisingly tolerant in fact. Standing Ovation is another that is supposed to be flop proof. It could get expensive buying cultivar plants if the area is big. the worst for flopping in my experience is 'The Blues' because they form such thick seed heads that they ended up being top heavy. I just replaced a stand of 'The Blues' with 'Blue Heaven'. I've had Little bluestem growing here in my prairie garden quite some time and never seen the middle die out. It grows wild around here just about everywhere and each plant is fairly narrow and tall, no middle die outs, they look more like exclamation marks. Its also long lived with very deep roots. Some types are greener, some sort of gunmetal deep blue and others are powder blue. Heights vary from one area to the next. I grow several types, both local and some cultivars but have never seen any that wasn't a great grass. Currently last years growth along the roadsides is still standing straight and tall with a definite orange color since no one trims those out there. By summer, they will be green (as long as the rain comes) and then gorgeous in fall.