Colorado State participated in the trials in 2013, taking final data measurements on October 2, 2013. Out of the 22 cultivars at our site, we noticed the following had outstanding characteristics, summarized by Landscape Impact Ratings (LIR), which indicate good vigor, foliage color, and flowering (if flowers should be present), with little or no disease or insect damage.  A LIR value of ‘5’ indicates outstanding characteristics; a value of ‘1’ indicates little or no ornamental value in the landscape.

1. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ – LIR=5

Pv ‘Shenandoah’

2. 6-way tie: LIR=4.5

• Panicum virgatum ‘Dallas Blues’
• Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’
• Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Sky’
• Panicum virgatum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’
• Panicum virgatum ‘Thundercloud’
• Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blue Heaven’™

Pv ‘Dallas Blues’

Pv ‘Northwind’

Pv ‘Prairie Sky’

Pv ‘Rotstrahlbusch’

Pv ‘Thundercloud’

Ss. ‘Blue Heaven’ ™

In addition, the following ornamental grasses had the lowest LIR ratings at our site:

Tie, LIR=3:

• Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Jazz’
• Panicum virgatum ‘Hot Rod’