It's not every year that an ornamental grass wins Perennial Plant of the Year! Congratulations to Roy Diblik and his selection from Northwind Perennial Farm, 'Northwind' Switchgrass. A beautiful switchgrass whose strong, upright habit makes a powerful architectural statement in any garden( and not floppy, like many other cultivars). Yet, still has the beautiful, feathery seedheads and the bright, red fall color of your favorite native Switchgrass. Combines well with Coneflowers, Rudbeckia, Shastas and Liatris in the perennial garden and makes a great fall combo when planted with 'Autumn Fire' Sedum, Amsonia and 'Gro-low' Sumac.
Northwind' Switchgrass courtesy of Missouri Botanic Gardens
If you have ever been to the Lurie garden at Millennium Park or the Art Institute in Chicago, then you may already be familiar with Roy Diblik's work. Diblik's designs create sweeps of color by using tough-as-nails plants that grow together as a plant community to minimizes maintenance (i.e. limit your time spent weeding, watering, trimming, mulching, etc.). For more information on designing a “Know Maintenance” garden, I highley recommend Roy Diblik's book “Small Perennial Gardens: The Know Maintenance Approach.
I planted 5 'Northwind's in my backyard last year and can't wait to see how they fared the brutal winter. I put them along a privacy fence with Rosa rugosa and Daylilies. Lots and lots of Daylilies!
I planted 5 'Northwind's in my backyard last year and can't wait to see how they fared the brutal winter. I put them along a privacy fence with Rosa rugosa and Daylilies. Lots and lots of Daylilies!
Wikipedia: Switchgrass in action at the Lurie Garden.
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