Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
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Common Name: Heavy Metal Switch Grass  
Plant photo of: Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6'

 

Flower Color

Orange, Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

This switch grass has stiffly erect blades of metallic blue-green during the season, turning yellowish-orange in the fall, and buff in the winter. Tiny purple and orange flowers line wiry stems forming billows of color about grass clump. Grows 36 to 40 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Very attractive when planted in masses.