Panicum 'Totem Pole'
Add to Wishlist
Full Sun
Deer Resistant
Low Maintenance
- In stock, ready to ship
Panicum 'Totem Pole': Tall, True, and Towering
Sculptural and statuesque, Panicum 'Totem Pole' lives up to its name with a striking vertical presence. This strongly upright selection of switchgrass forms an architectural column of steely blue foliage that holds its shape beautifully through the season. By late summer, soft clouds of airy tan-pink panicles emerge above the foliage, adding a hazy shimmer in the evening light. Deer resistant, drought tolerant, and a beacon for birds, this native ornamental grass brings stature and four-season beauty to sun-drenched landscapes.
Plant Characteristics:
- Height: 150–180 cm
- Spread: 60–75 cm
- Flower Colour: Tan-pink panicles
- Flowering Period: August to October
- Foliage: Steel blue, upright and columnar
- Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
- Soil Requirements: Average to dry, well-drained soil
Uses and Benefits: Ideal as a structural element in borders, meadow gardens, or contemporary plantings. Its vertical habit makes it a strong backdrop or accent among more mounded perennials. Excellent for erosion control on slopes and for adding movement and texture to prairie-style designs. Birds enjoy the late-season seedheads, and it provides reliable winter interest.
Companion Plants: Combine with Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria', Allium 'Ambassador', and Salvia 'Caradonna' for a dramatic, pollinator-friendly planting that contrasts warm tones with cool blue foliage and bold forms.
Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant and low maintenance. Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges. Avoid overly rich soil to maintain its strong vertical habit.
History: Selected for its exceptionally upright form and glaucous foliage, 'Totem Pole' is a refined switchgrass cultivar developed for high-performance landscape use and bold garden architecture.
Final Thoughts: With commanding height and grace, Panicum 'Totem Pole' delivers vertical drama and native resilience—an ideal anchor for dynamic, sun-loving perennial designs.
