Panic in the Frost

Ok, you got me, This isn't a post about THAT kind of panic, but rather, Panicums (Switchgrass). Last night, we got the first real frost of the season, here in my neighborhood. We've gotten frost previously, but it was light, and aside from the frozen birdbath, there was little evidence of it in the garden. Last night, however, we got a decent frost...as evidenced by the crystalline edges along the Panicums (above, 'Northwind'). As the sun came up beyond, the pillars of 'Northwind' were ignited like tongues of ice-cold flame.


There wasn't enough moisture in the air to produce a decent hoar frost, but still, there was a nice silvery coating on the topside of each blade.

I love the subtle rainbow of warm, golden hues in these grasses during the winter, so at odds with the chilly temps.


I'm infatuated with how elegantly the blades curve over...and the beadlike, diamond glimmer of the frosty seed heads in the background.


P. 'Dallas Blues' dries to a darker, earthier tone than other Panicums, it often reminds me of outstretched, grasping hands...love it!


P. 'Huron Solstice' still holds onto some of it's red coloring after going dormant...even more lovely now.


If you want a grass for guaranteed winter beauty, you can hardly go wrong with any of the Panicums, tough, beautiful and long-lasting. What about you...what are your go-to plants for "winter interest"?