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:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • 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

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Showy Flowers, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Park, Parking Lot, Roadside, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler, Hedge, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

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.
Panicums are Plains' natives, and they require full sun and well drained soils. Will grow in clay. Over-fertilizing or over-watering will cause the grass to flop. Cut back in late winter, see Guides. No serious pest or disease problems. Though clumping, it may slowly spread by rhizomes, but is not considered invasive. Deer and rabbit resistant.