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    • Photo of Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' flower by Hans Mesker

    Photo by Hans Mesker

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

    Also Known As

    • Blue Switch Grass

    Plant type

    grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 2'-4'
    • W: 2'-3'

    planting zones

    • 4a-10a

    More Options

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' plant details

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' is a deciduous grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue foliage. In summer burgundy, red and silver flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

    Plant type: grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue
    Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
    Flowers: burgundy, red and silver blooms in summer
    Uses: border plant, fall color, fragrant, mass-planting

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 10a
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    ?One of the most handsome switch grasses? (Greenlee), the stiff metal-blue leaves of this 3-4' spreader turn bright yellow in fall and are topped by attractive flower heads ?stunning in fresh and dried arrangements?. S/M-D

    By: Forestfarm

    A rigidly upright grass with steel blue foliage that turns yellow in the fall. Blooms with airy bronze plumes in the late summer.

    By: Garden World

    Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Stiff, upright blades of green turn metallic blue and then warm pecan brown in the fall. We are fond of this dynamic, vertical accenting grass in drifts with Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    Always heed the advice on the back of the Hitchhikers guide How much danger can a stiffly upright metallic blue switch grass pose? That really depends on who is wielding the switch. ZONE 4

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    A beautiful sturdy upright clump-forming grass. Steel blue foliage and panicles of burgundy tinted seed heads in September pair wonderfully with Sedums and Asters. 4-5' tall.

    By: Avant Gardens

    Young glaucous blue blades mature to a shiny, metallic blue, extending vertically from dense blue stems. When in bloom it becomes one of the most delicate of the grasses. Feathery red inflorescences, gradually fade to silver and reach to 16" above the dense foliage. Fall color is bright yellow.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Gardening facts about Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' plant

    How to Grow Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • red
      • burgundy
      • silver

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • purple

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • grassy

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