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Ornamental Grasses

Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'

13 years ago

Does anyone have any experience with Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'? Looking for a smaller grass to plant by an Adagio Miscanthus and noticed it is available at the local nursery I purchase my grasses from.

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Comments (11)

donn_
12 years ago
I haven't grown this one. The only red Panicum I have is 'Shenandoah.' After reading about this one, though, I may give it a try. It looks beautiful.
cactusgarden
12 years ago
There is a mature clump of this a block up from where I live. I call it a "Car Wreck" plant, the kind you nearly swerve off the street or hit someone in front of you because you are so busy gaping at it. This one is in full, all day sun, a solitary plant and I yelled out "Go back Go back" to my husband who was driving so we had to circle around and check it out. It looked great as a single specimen and I cannot imagine it looking bad with what you have in mind.

Let me put it this way, I wish I had a spot for one. Simply gorgeous last fall. A perfect vase, tight and red with the sun shining through the reddish seed heads. Wow! I had already ordered three of the reddish P. Rotsth........(that one with the German name I'm too lazy to look up the spelling right now)
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I have had 'Dallas Blues' for several years now, but it doesn't reach its full potential because I have it growing in a part shade location. I just wish I had a sunnier spot in which to plant it. I also bought 'Ruby Ribbons' two years ago, and it looks like it's going to be a good one, possibly better than 'Blood Brothers'.
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Well, heck, I was just trying to help take your mind off not feeling well, LOL! WOW!! What a fabulous yard! What gorgeous sweeping vistas... all those beautiful miscanthus...just terrific! I'll keep coming back to these for some time... Love the stone wall with the nifty little hook at the end! Also, what trees are you growing? Their forms are so nice - more winter interest, along with the grasses. What, in particular, is the dusky-leaved one that is leafing out in the fourth picture and seemingly in full leaf in the fifth? How nice to have an acreage and what a great job you've done with it. (*Sigh* ...wonder if anyone would notice if I annex the playground behind our house?) I don't think I'm capable of giving a meaningful description of the Poa cita, other than clumping, upright, about 18" tall (in clay soil, full sun), not unusual color-wise... duh, I'll see if I can find a picture! They were labelled as that when I bought the plants, anyway, and have proved hardy. (Googling the name, I see it is a species native to New Zealand and sub-antarctic islands...hmm, guess that would explain how it survives here, assuming it was correctly labelled.) Unfortunately, I didn't collect seeds of it or the Sesleria glauca, but could make a point to do that next year. Attached is a seed source for the Poa cita, if you wanted to try then right away. Well, gotta go look at your pix again! Thanks!
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I have enjoyed reading this thread! My grass talk went really well - it was rather nice to get back to talking about grasses after taking four years off. Right now I am trying to get my head around using grasses in my more northern garden with a forest for a backdrop. Well, 'get my head around' isn't the only problem - I also have to 'build' the gardens! Scotty, the grass pictures on your blog are Fabulous! I really enjoyed reading that section! I am delighted that some of you have & are liking Panicum Blood Brothers. This is my next NEW favorite - A direct descendent of Blood Brothers. Sorry ... won't be on the market for another year or two :o( What do you think??? A.
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Comments (13)
Me too. For red---Big Bluestem 'Red October'. Mine already have hints of red. They are slow starters though. Takes a couple seasons as it works on roots under ground. The Red October has very stiff leaves as well (so far, mine are young). I'm thinking maybe the plant form is more elegant than the straight species but time will tell. There is a gas station in the city here with the species type planted in a row. As far as ornamental goes, its just a mass of curving deep green leaves, nothing to look at most of the year. Out on a prairie, you don't even notice them until they send up the tall turkey feet and its those seed head stalks against a blue sky that is the 'wow' factor. Another factor is there is that decorative panicum grass form that you will never get with Big bluestem. Its simply a more decorative grass overall. It gets tall faster, blooms much much earlier and sways beautifully in the wind and looks fantastic when backlit in late afternoon or morning sun. Mine start blooming midsummer providing interest from then until I cut them back in late winter. My answer to this is to plant both. I've got 6 Red October plants in a group planted nearby three types of panicums, each in groups with a swath of little bluestem and blue grama in the foreground. I just thought of one more thing. Big bluestem doesn't have the lovely winter interest you get with the panicum grasses. We don't get much snow here so thats always a consideration for me.
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grassboro
Original Author
12 years ago
I checked on the 'Cheyenne Sky' and they were not quite ready for sale. Not "out of the pot" size yet. So I got a Carex 'Indian Summer' instead. I think I will eventually get one of the 'Cheyenne Sky' later this summer.
grassboro
Original Author
12 years ago
I finally purchased a Panicum 'Cheyenne Sky' today. 1 gal plant over a foot tall. Now I have to decide where to plant it.
donn_
12 years ago
How about a photo?
cactusgarden
12 years ago
My sister ordered the P. 'Shenandoah'. I think that 'Cheyenne Sky' is supposed to be redder, seems like I read that anyway. Let us know how it looks this fall because I want a color report about hers as well and if they are as red as advertised. I think these red ones look a bit boring during the "green" time so hopefully they make up for it and get red sooner than later.

I am just thrilled with the 'Northwind' and a little less so with the 'Heavy Metal' but they are both pretty in mid summer. I say midsummer because with this years weather, thats what this is for all practical purposes. I love that dark olive color of the 'Northwind' and the form is unbelievable. It DOES look spray starched. Its a good type to use as a contrast grass with other types don't ya think?
ontnative
12 years ago
I planted 'Cheyenne Sky' a year ago and so far it is much slower growing than my 'Sheneandoah' plants. Maybe it just needs time to settle in a bit. All my panicums are in part shade.
christinmk z5b eastern WA
11 years ago
Anyone care to give an update on this guy? I would love to hear opinions of it now that some here have had it awhile. When excactly does it turn that reddish color on the ends? "Early Summer" is when a lot of sources say it turns color. Does weather play a factor in its turning color? What I mean is, will it stay greener if the weather is cooler/moister out?
CMK
Patty W. zone 5a Illinois
11 years ago
Just planted Cheyenne Sky spring 2012 so really to soon to say much. Can mention that tips this year began turning red towards the end of summer. Had upright beautiful blue green foliage and very nice airy seed heads (do they call them panicles). I have Panicum Northwind and it's absolutely gorgeous but big. Trying C S by the deck. So far very pleased with color, growth and uprightness in it's first year. Pat
scottyboipdx
11 years ago
I saw some recently at a nursery...gorgeous
boday
11 years ago
Just an update if anyone is interested - I've had CS since spring of 2011, so it's survived and flourished through a winter in this zone. It is as advertised and the main feature is that it isn't the six foot monster. The drawback if any, is that it doesn't spread rapidly. I'll try harvesting this winter and see if I can get a drift going. That would be spectacular.

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