In late summer airy tan/pink flowers appear in late Summer. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal', an ornamental switchgrass, in early summer. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Blue Switch Grass. Foliage bright yellow with burgundy tips in fall. Plant Description: Clump-forming, warm season, ornamental grass. Softly tactile pennisetums almost curtsy to the ground like a cat in the sun waiting to be stroked. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' - Heavy Metal Switch Grass . Metallic blue leaves. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Switch grass 'Heavy Metal') will reach a height of 1.3m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years. Additionally, switchgrass is grown as a drought-resistant ornamental grass in average to wet soils and in full sun to part shade. In fall Heavy Metal Switch Grass get's attractive yellow, red and orange fall foliage. It is the preferred larval host plant of Dargida rubripennis. Airy heads of tiny green flowers become become panicles of pinkish-red seedheads at 5-7'. Its metallic blue leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. Moth host plant. Heavy Metal Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal') is a popular ornamental grass with blue/green foliage. For a knockout combination plant several of these with Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer'. Plant Family: Poaceae. In addition, its extensive root system grows 5-6 feet deep, making it a great plant to assist with stabilizing banks. Find Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal') in Naperville Aurora Batavia Oswego Chicago Wheaton Illinois IL at The Growing Place Aurora (630) 820.8088 | Naperville (630) 355.4000 grow@thegrowingplace.com Grasses like Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' have distinct personalities. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. This upright grass is a medium size grass, maturing at 3-4' with a 1-2' spread. An upright variety of Panicum, the strong stems of 'Heavy Metal' never flop or lean, even in heavy rains. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native, warm season grass that is an excellent replacement for invasive Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis).This large, bunching grass grows 3-7 feet high and has a 2-3 foot spread. Architectural, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, City, Cottage/Informal. Some of the taller Switch grasses can become floppy, but 'Heavy Metal' is shorter and the foliage is very upright. Height: 4-6 ft Width: 18-24 in Soil Conditions: Moist/Well Drained How To Plant, Prune, Fertilize, Water And Care For Panicum Switch Grasses Posted by Brent Wilson on 10/11/2016 to Fertilizing & Watering Tips When planted right and in the right spot, the North American native switch grasses, scientifically known as Panicum , are exceptionally easy to grow in the ground or in containers. Beginning in late summer or early fall, delicate pink panicles dance 12-16" above the foliage. 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