Audubon® Switchgrass

A wildlife wonder-Fringe! Switch Grass is a must-have for your wildlife-friendly garden. This bountiful native feeds countless insects with its handsome foliage, including many species of butterflies, moths, leafhoppers, grasshoppers, aphids, and plant bugs. But don’t worry that these critters will devour your plants! Songbirds will come to the rescue and keep populations in check. Many birds, such as cardinals, juncos, sparrows, and Mourning Doves will also be grateful for Switch Grass’s nutritious seeds in fall. In rural areas, stands of Switch Grass make great winter cover for ducks and gamebirds. Invaluable!

Switch Grass is an American Fringe that is native to basically the whole country except for the West Coast states, Alaska, and Hawaii. It is most fondly associated with the midwestern tallgrass prairie, where it once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with perennial Sunflowers, Big Bluestem, and other prairie plants for miles in all directions. With a sturdy root system that could delve down 10 feet in the loamy prairie soil, it was very resistant to drought and could spring back to life after wildfires. Unstoppable! In modern prairie restorations, it is often burned every few years in spring to help spur lush new growth.

It’s not just for the animals! Even if it didn’t provide so many benefits to birds and bugs, Switch Grass would be a wonderful addition to your landscape by virtue of its beauty. Standing firmly upright, it makes a statuesque column of fine foliage. The airy summer flowers and fall seedheads add a delicate touch.

We do the hard part. Our trees and plants are grown and cared for by only the best, local growers for years before they find their forever home in your landscape. Bower & Branch is known for having hard-to-find, substantial sizes and selection. The quality of our trees and plants are consistent in health and vigor—always ready for immediate impact in your garden and instant curb appeal. We believe in empowering homeowners with the truth about strong, healthy and structurally sound plants that are grown to perform in the ground after they leave the nursery for home delivery, always fresh inventory from the grower

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.