Switchgrass, Prairie Dog

Switchgrass ‘Prairie Dog’ (Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Dog’)
Also known as: Prairie Dog Switchgrass

‘Prairie Dog’ is a compact, upright cultivar of native switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) selected for its dense form, strong upright stems, and resistance to lodging (flopping). Developed specifically for use in ornamental landscapes, prairie restorations, and pollinator gardens, this cultivar offers the ecological benefits of wild switchgrass with a neater, garden-friendly habit. It is particularly useful in low-maintenance borders, pollinator plantings, and stormwater management systems.

Key Characteristics

• Compact, Upright Form for Landscape Use
  ‘Prairie Dog’ grows to 2–3 feet tall, making it one of the most compact switchgrass varieties available. It maintains a tight, vertical habit with minimal flopping, even in fertile soils or high winds—ideal for urban gardens, meadow edges, and landscaped borders.
• Late-Season Blooms and Pollinator Support
  From August to October, ‘Prairie Dog’ produces airy bronze-tinged flower panicles that provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects and seeds for birds in the fall and winter. It’s a valuable late-season resource in pollinator-friendly native plantings.
• Native Grass with Erosion Control and Soil Health Benefits
  Like other switchgrasses, ‘Prairie Dog’ forms deep, fibrous roots that hold soil in place, improve water infiltration, and build long-term organic matter. It’s ideal for bioswales, stormwater retention, and erosion-prone slopes, especially in compact spaces.
• Low-Maintenance and Versatile
  ‘Prairie Dog’ thrives in full sun and medium to dry soils, tolerating drought once established. It does not require fertilization or irrigation and is a great companion for native wildflowers and low-input prairie-style gardens.

Product Details

• Native range: Cultivar of North American native species
• Plant life cycle: Perennial warm-season bunchgrass
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium to dry, well-drained
• Mature height: 2–3 feet
• Bloom time: August to October
• Bloom color: Bronze to purple-tinged panicles
• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–9

‘Prairie Dog’ Switchgrass is a tough, tidy native grass perfect for small gardens and big restoration goals. It’s beautiful, beneficial, and built for resilience in real-world landscapes.