Panicum 'Niagara Falls'

Panicum virgatum 'Niagara Falls': Cascading Form with Prairie Strength

Graceful yet grounded, Panicum 'Niagara Falls' lives up to its name with a broad, arching habit that flows outward like a waterfall of foliage. Its blue-green blades form a wide, fountain-like clump that softens borders while adding volume and texture. In late summer, airy bronze-pink panicles rise above the mound, shimmering in the light and persisting into fall. As the season cools, the foliage shifts to warm golden-yellow, making this native switch grass a beautiful four-season feature with naturalistic elegance.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 120–150 cm (in flower)
• Spread: 90–120 cm
• Flower Colour: Bronzy-pink maturing to tan
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early fall
• Foliage: Broad, arching blue-green blades; golden-yellow in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained to moderately moist soils; drought and clay tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Niagara Falls' brings graceful motion and reliable structure to borders, meadow-style plantings, and massed designs. Its wide, cascading form contrasts beautifully with upright perennials, while its seasonal transitions—from green to gold—add depth and dimension throughout the year. Low maintenance, deer resistant, and highly adaptable, it’s a natural choice for both ornamental and ecological landscapes.

Companion Plants: Pair Panicum 'Niagara Falls' with Liatris spicata for vertical spikes of purple that pierce through the grass’s arching form. Add Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' for fiery red-and-gold blooms that echo the grass’s autumn tones. Introduce Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' for soft, silvery mounds that brighten the base and provide fine-textured contrast.

Care Instructions: Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment; once mature, it tolerates drought and heavier soils. Leave foliage and plumes standing through winter for visual interest and wildlife habitat. Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges. Divide clumps every 4–5 years if needed to maintain shape and vigour.

History: A recent cultivar of the North American native Panicum virgatum, 'Niagara Falls' was selected for its graceful, fountain-like habit and cold hardiness. It combines the ecological benefits of native grass with an ornamental form ideal for modern gardens.

Final Thoughts: Flowing and full of character, Panicum 'Niagara Falls' offers movement, contrast, and seasonal colour—capturing the spirit of the prairie in every sweep of its cascading blades.