Grass - Panicum virgatum Dream Catcher® Misty Waterfall® ('Nonllafr')

This ornamental grass is a favorite among birds, especially in the fall and winter when its seed heads provide a valuable food source. The flowers attract beneficial insects like butterflies and bees during the blooming season, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. Additionally, its dense growth offers shelter for small animals and nesting sites for birds.

Misty Waterfall® Switchgrass is a warm-season, deciduous perennial, emerging in late spring, blooming in summer, and providing interest with its foliage and seed heads through fall and winter. It goes dormant in winter but retains structure with its golden-brown stems and seed heads.

Accent in perennial borders

Mass planting or prairie/meadow-style gardens

Erosion control and low-maintenance landscapes

Great in rain gardens and urban settings

Background for shorter perennials and native plantings

The foliage of Misty Waterfall® is arching and blue-green, creating a cascading, waterfall-like effect. The slender, fine-textured leaves grow in dense clumps and turn a striking golden-yellow in the fall. This grass maintains its shape and color throughout the growing season, with the foliage turning tan and persisting through winter, adding year-round visual appeal.

• Flowering Season: Misty Waterfall® blooms in late summer to early fall, typically from August to October. The delicate, misty flower panicles rise above the foliage, creating a soft, cloud-like effect that sways gently in the breeze.

• Flower Description: The flowers of Panicum virgatum Dream Catcher® Misty Waterfall® are airy, fine-textured panicles that start out light green and gradually turn to a soft tan color as the season progresses. The blooms rise above the foliage, adding height and an ethereal quality to the plant. These flower panicles persist through fall and into winter, providing structure and interest even after the growing season has ended.

• When to Plant: Plant in early spring or fall to allow the grass time to establish its roots before the heat of summer or the cold of winter.

• How to Plant: Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. Place the plant in the hole so that the crown is at soil level, then backfill with soil and water thoroughly. Space plants 2-3 feet apart for mass plantings or hedges.

Pruning is minimal for this grass. Cut the plant back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to maintain its fresh, vibrant appearance. Leaving the stems and seed heads up through winter can provide structural interest and food for wildlife.

Misty Waterfall® is drought-tolerant once established but prefers consistent moisture during its first growing season to help it establish strong roots. Water deeply and regularly during dry spells. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate wetter conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens or planting near water features.

This grass thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to maintain its robust growth and vibrant foliage color. While it can tolerate partial shade, it will have more open growth and may not flower as profusely in low-light conditions.

The flower panicles and seed heads of Misty Waterfall® can be harvested for use in dried floral arrangements or winter wreaths. The delicate seed heads add a soft, airy texture to decorative displays.

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a light top-dressing of compost to encourage healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Avoid excessive fertilization, as this can lead to weak, leggy growth and diminish the plant’s structural integrity.

• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Soil: Misty Waterfall® prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It thrives in both acidic and neutral soil pH levels and tolerates poorly drained soils, making it ideal for rain gardens.
• Disease and Pest Resistance: This grass is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance addition to the garden. It is also deer-resistant, making it an excellent choice for areas with heavy wildlife pressure.

The flowers of Panicum virgatum Misty Waterfall® are wind-pollinated, and the grass spreads primarily by clumping rather than by seed. However, its airy flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) – offers vertical contrast and pollinator appeal
  
• Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan) – provides bright yellow blooms against the grass’s airy texture
  
• Monarda didyma (Bee Balm) – adds bold color and attracts pollinators
  
• Salvia nemorosa – low-growing spikes enhance layered plantings
  
• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – great foliage and late-season color
  
• Amsonia hubrichtii – fine texture and golden fall foliage match beautifully
  
• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) – both native and wildlife-friendly
  
• Coreopsis verticillata – airy flowers pair well with Panicum’s structure