Panicum is a native warm-season genus that has lately become very popular with designers and hybridizers, both because of its toughness, … Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ is a favorite switchgrass, well-loved for its dramatic, metallic blue foliage and for its strong upright habit that remains standing straight and tall. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. It forms an erect, compact and narrow clump of steely blue-green foliage in spring, which quickly takes on red tones by early summer and turns violet, purple, burgundy and wine-red by early fall. Switch grass can be used as a groundcover to control erosion and for the transition areas between garden and wood areas. Prized for its unmatched foliage color, this handsome grass has fast growing green leaves that emerge with red tips in spring, darken through summer, and turn a rich burgundy in fall. May self-seed under ideal growing conditions. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ ... Switch Grass was an important component of the Tall-grass Prairie that once covered much of the Great Plains. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. ‘Heavy Metal’ is more slender and a bit shorter, however. This outstanding selection forms a stiffly upright clump of powdery-blue leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers … In … Airy reddish pink flowers develop in summer. 'Heavy Metal' does not come true from seed and self-seeded plants may be best removed from a planting to preserve the uniformity of the foliage color. Proven Winners - Prairie Winds® 'Cheyenne Sky' - Red Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum tan plant details, information and resources. Foliage and flowers of Panicum are effective in flower arrangements, both fresh and dried. ‘Heavy Metal’ is an outstanding Kurt Bluemel selection of native switch grass with stiff, vertical, metallic-blue blades. Cut old foliage in the spring. Late summer seed fronds tipped in copper persist for stunning winter interest. A great cultivar of Switch grass that I really should replace some Miscanthus with is the Perennial Plant of the Year™ for 2014, the Northwind Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’). TRIVIA: ‘Northwind’ was recognized by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year for 2014. Panicum prefers full sun, and moist, fertile soil; however, the plant will tolerate sand, heavy clay, dry slopes and boggy areas. Switch grass, Panicum virgatum, is one of many native prairie grasses that have been developed as ornamental grasses.Switchgrass – also called tall panic grass, tall prairiegrass, wild redtop, thatchgrass, and other common names – is one of the main species of grasses of the North American tallgrass prairie, ranging from southern Canada (south of latitude 55°N) to Mexico over most … Best in masses. If a substitute is needed, Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ has similar cultural needs and habit. Sporting one of the best burgundy foliage of all switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' is a deciduous, perennial grass of choice. Later in autumn, the foliage turns a lovely golden-yellow colour. Since Northwind Switch Grass has been introduced by nurseryman, Roy Diblik in 1992, it’s use has steadily grown. Amber-yellow fall color. Noteworthy Characteristics. Use for mass background plantings or in containers. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ is an attractive cultivar with glaucous, blue-green foliage topped with pink-green flowers in early autumn. Panicum Heavy Metal - Common name:Switch Grass, Panic Grass - Strongly vertical metallic-blue foliage will age to yellow in the fall. It looks fabulous planted in bold clumps that can sway in the breeze. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' NC State University and N.C. 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