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Photo by Hans Mesker

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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

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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

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' is a dramatic switch grass with a strongly upright habit forming vertical pillars of metallic blue foliage to four feet high. In summer the plants are topped with blue and pink, airy inflorescences that form a beautiful textural cloud. Looks amazing mass planted or as a specimen to add an exclamation point to the perennial border. Photo: Walters Gardens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

?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

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.

Garden photo gallery of Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

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

By: Hans Mesker

By: Hans Mesker

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Alan Lorence

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