Panicum 'Dallas Blue'

Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blue': Towering Texture with a Silvery Cool

Bold and statuesque, Panicum 'Dallas Blue' makes an impact with its broad, powdery blue foliage and strong vertical presence. This tall switch grass forms a dense, upright clump that holds its shape beautifully through the season. In late summer, large, airy flower panicles appear above the foliage—emerging a smoky purple and fading to soft tan, adding motion and delicate contrast. As autumn progresses, the foliage takes on subtle amber and gold tones. With its exceptional size, colour, and durability, this cultivar brings structure and serenity to bold plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 180–210 cm (in flower)
• Spread: 90–120 cm
• Flower Colour: Smoky purple maturing to tan
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early fall
• Foliage: Broad, powder-blue blades; golden-bronze in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained to moderately moist soil; drought tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Dallas Blue' is ideal as a backdrop in large borders, meadow-style plantings, or as a seasonal screen. Its cool-toned foliage contrasts beautifully with warm-toned flowers, while its bold stature anchors the late-summer garden with confidence. Deer resistant, easy to grow, and low maintenance, it provides texture and movement from midsummer through winter.

Companion Plants: Pair Panicum 'Dallas Blue' with Echinacea 'Ruby Star' for saturated magenta blooms that stand tall beside the grass’s cool blue blades. Add Achillea 'Moonshine' for lemon-yellow umbels that brighten and soften the composition. Finish with Liatris spicata for vertical spikes of purple that echo the texture of the grass’s airy plumes.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as the plant becomes drought tolerant. Cut back in early spring before new shoots appear. Divide every 4–5 years to maintain vigour and manage size.

History: A cultivar of the North American native Panicum virgatum, 'Dallas Blue' was selected for its unusually broad, blue-toned foliage and commanding height. Its cool colour palette and structural form have made it a favourite in contemporary and prairie-style designs.

Final Thoughts: With its broad blue blades and graceful height, Panicum 'Dallas Blue' delivers a cool, calming presence that anchors the garden in structure, softness, and late-season beauty.