Bitter Switchgrass 'Dewey Blue' is a clump-forming perennial grass native to coastal sandy areas from Connecticut to Florida to Texas, prized for its striking powder blue foliage and elegant fountain-like form. This warm-season grass grows 36 to 48 inches tall and produces showy blue-tinged flowers in late summer through early fall, followed by beige seed heads that persist well into winter. Hardy from zones 2 through 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and handles drought, dry soil, and erosion with ease, making it an exceptional choice for naturalized landscapes and rain gardens where lesser grasses would struggle.
Partial Sun
Moderate
2-9
48in H x 36in W
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Low
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The 'Dewey Blue' cultivar earns its name from the distinctive powder blue cast that graces its foliage, creating a striking visual contrast in the garden that deepens as the seasons change. Its fountain-like architecture and low maintenance requirements make it a standout for gardeners seeking year-round structure and movement without constant fussing. The persistent beige seed heads that follow the flowers extend the plant's ornamental appeal well into winter, providing texture and interest when most perennials have faded entirely.
Bitter Switchgrass excels in naturalized plantings where it stabilizes sandy or eroded slopes while adding textural beauty to the landscape. Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor, infertile soils make it invaluable in rain gardens and low-maintenance native plantings, where it filters water runoff and establishes itself without supplemental fertilization. The persistent seed heads provide winter interest and sustenance for wildlife in dormant-season gardens.
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Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring to rejuvenate the plant and prepare it for the growing season. This annual cutback maintains the plant's neat, fountain-like form and prevents the accumulation of dead foliage.
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“Panicum amarum, known as bitter switchgrass for the bitter taste of its grain, is native to coastal regions where it has long stabilized sandy soils. The 'Dewey Blue' cultivar represents a selection of this species valued specifically for its ornamental powder blue foliage and reliable garden performance. This cultivar brings the toughness of a coastal native into the landscape while offering the visual refinement that home gardeners seek, transforming a utilitarian beach grass into a garden asset.”