This perennial grass offers strong colour shifts and a neat, upright shape that stands out in sunny borders. Green, narrow leaves emerge in spring and steadily pick up red tones through early summer, creating a clean vertical accent whilst light, open flower panicles appear in late summer and sit just above the foliage, adding a soft, hazy effect without weighing the plant down.

As temperatures cool, the leaves take on a deep burgundy shade that holds well into autumn and provides long-lasting structure. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ grows reliably in full sun, handles dry spells once established, and works well in small groups among taller grasses or bold perennials.