1 named cultivar

‘Dewey Blue’Dewey Blue Coastal Panicgrass

grassN. America Native

Coastal Panicgrass

The Story

Plant Bio

Panicum amarum, bitter panicgrass, is an upright native perennial grass of Atlantic and Gulf coast dunes, reaching three to four feet. Strongly blue-green leaves seven to twenty inches long arch over from erect stems, and airy beige seedheads open in late summer and persist right through winter.

It is a dune-builder: deep spreading rhizomes hold shifting sand, and it is one of the standard species used for coastal stabilisation after storms. That makes it exceptionally salt and drought tolerant in an ordinary garden too. The blue foliage is stronger than most native grasses, and the winter seedheads feed birds for months.

Uses & Benefits:

Strongly blue-green arching foliage with airy beige seedheads that stand all winter.

One of the standard grasses for stabilising dunes and holding sandy banks against erosion.

A larval host for skipper butterflies, with seed taken by songbirds and small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

36 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in sandy, freely drained soil.
Use it on dunes, banks and exposed coastal sites.
Water while establishing, then leave it alone.
Do not feed; lean soil keeps it upright.
Leave seedheads standing through winter.
Cut back to a few inches in late winter.

Pro Tip

Rich soil makes it flop — this is a dune grass, and lean sand is what keeps the three-foot stems standing.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in sun and sandy soil ☀️
Use it to hold a bank or dune ⛰️
Leave winter seedheads for birds 🐦
Cut back in late winter ✂️

Don't

Feed or irrigate it ❌
Plant it in heavy wet clay ❌
Cut it down in autumn ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Enjoy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal dune and erosion controlNative meadow and prairie plantingWinter structure in a sunny border

Companion Plants

Little Bluestem Seaside Goldenrod Butterfly Weed Muhly Grass Beach Rose

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coastal Panicgrass questions

What zones can Coastal Panicgrass grow in?

Coastal Panicgrass is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Coastal Panicgrass deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Coastal Panicgrass, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Coastal Panicgrass bloom?

Coastal Panicgrass typically blooms in late summer to fall through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Coastal Panicgrass need full sun?

Coastal Panicgrass does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Coastal Panicgrass drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Coastal Panicgrass handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.