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Ornamental Grasses

Experience with Panicum 'Northwind?'

13 years ago

Hello, I have a spot in my front foundation bed I am hoping to fill with the perfect size, complementary in color/texture with surroundings, perennial. I am left with a narrow space (about 28" diameter - possible to get a little more), after considering what the surrounding shrubs will mature at. Perfect plant would also have to be at least 4 feet tall, because it's going north and east of a group of Ilex glabra Shamrock, west of a Fothergilla Mt. Airy, and south of Cotinus Grace... Oh, what have I done?? :)

I came across someone mentioning Panicum virgatum Northwind, and it sounds like it could fit the bill. I would need something that also doesn't mind being in moist soil at times and doesn't need overly lean soil.

Apologies for the long-winded preface... My questions are:

1. Does Northwind really only get 2-3 feet wide in your experience, like the vendors say?

2. Do you think it would look out of place, being the only grass in a shrub border?

3. Has anyone ever moved this grass after planting it? I am wondering how difficult it would be to dig up if it turns out I was wrong about the spot.

4. If anyone has any other comments or observations about Northwind that could help me decide.

I am Zone 6B in Massachusetts. The area it would be going faces East and gets sun from morning until about 2:00 pm. Soil is sandy now, I would probably amend a bit if advisable. On a slight slope headed down, so drainage is good.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (9)

donn_
13 years ago
I have 2 and 3 year old 'Northwind' plants, and they are one of my favorite grasses. The size estimates you mention are very accurate. My 3 year olds are ~4' or a bit taller. They are extremely upright, moreso than any other grass I own. They are about 12" in diameter at the crown, and no more than 24" at the widest point. They are really stunning grasses, especially in bloom. The blossoms stay within the tops of the blades, and do not tower over the grass like so many others.

Moving them is easy, and they don't require any soil amendments. They favor sandy soil, so you're all set.
petal_88
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you both so much! Great info, I am going to move forward with this... I can't wait!

Cheers,
P_88
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Zone 4 is at the bottom of 'Northwind's' hardiness range, and 5' is as tall as it gets in my zone 7 garden. Unless you have all conditions perfect, I doubt it will reach 5' for you...but it's possible. It doesn't flop for me, unless it's hit by wet heavy snow. It's extremely erect and upright in habit. The ideal way to plant a hedge would be two rows, with the plants staggered and 3' apart. That means you'd need ~14 or 15 of them. Because the plant is so narrow at the bottom, you'll need the staggered rows in order to provide maximum coverage. I'd suggest amending the soil at least somewhat, with organic matter like pine bark fines and some very coarse sand.
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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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jean001
13 years ago
You said "I would need something that also doesn't mind being in moist soil at times and doesn't need overly lean soil. "

I wonder if other folks missed that statement.

Panicums are drought tolerant & will splay if too moist. It also does best in lean soil.
petal_88
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks ProfessorRoush and Jean - I was so busy gardening last year I never came back on the site!

So far so good, I will keep that in mind about not being too moist and it is better being lean. It gets quite a bit of sun in that spot so I think will be OK. It hasn't greened up yet but still a little early here.

Cheers,
P_88
Scott Z8 CenTex
9 years ago
When did you plant your Northwinds grasses. Curious if you think Spring is better than Fall (or vs versa)? Thanks.
bellarosa
9 years ago
i planted mine in the Fall two years ago and they are beautiful. i read somewhere that Fall planting is a good time to do this.
florananny
9 years ago
About replanting -- a few years ago I bought a grass on a dollar shelf and popped it in a 12" container. I was able to ID it as Northwind Panicum after it grew (and splayed all over the place). Pulled it out of the container and dumped it [more or less] down in a patch of daffys and daylilies, similar exposure to yours. I guess it was one of those happy 'mistakes' because it's come back full, lush, and upright the last 2 years :)
TexasRanger10
9 years ago
I took the yardstick outside and measured. Mine are going on their 3rd summer from 4" pots planted in fall 2011. Height 5ft. Width at top 3ft. Exactly.

They make a great specimen grass so yes, they would look very nice being the only grass in the border.

I dug three 2yr old plants up last year in spring very easily but it set them back on size that year.

Other comments? They look fabulous under an outdoor light, backlit by sun or in the moonlight and I love the gentle way they sway in the wind. Its one of my favorite grasses. They stay upright in winter, I almost hate to cut them back in spring. Also, they bloom for me quite early, in late June here so thats another + of a long period compared to some later blooming grasses. They will take moist soil but they have flopped down in rain when wet, they recover quickly however.

Here is a photo I shot of a grouping of 3 in early July.
Scott Z8 CenTex
9 years ago
I just planted 1/2 a dozen of these (~5" pots...clipped tops on the grass) and am curious how much you think they might grown this fall. I'm in 8b (north of Austin, TX) so we have plenty of growing season left I would think...does anyone have experience planting in the fall in a warm area?

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