This grass will return reliably in zones 4-9, while the sedum is a bit hardier in zones 3-9. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Brilliant foliage in fall. Plumes can be used in dried or fresh cut flower arrangements. Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies. This slightly salt-tolerant ornamental grass has vivid, bluish-purple foliage that has a slight waxy covering, giving it a metallic look. This rhizomatous perennial grass has a narrowly upright, clumping form. Switch Grass is one of the easiest and most attractive ornamental grasses, with no tendency to spread or become troublesome. Heavy Metal Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal') is a popular ornamental grass with blue/green foliage. Photo credit: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. This warm-season grass blooms in mid- to late- summer. Proven Winners - Prairie Winds® 'Totem Pole' - Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum yellow golden plant details, information and resources. Its metallic blue leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. 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. The stiff upright metallic blue foliage turns yellow in fall and fades to tan in winter. Drought tolerant. Grasses like Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' have distinct personalities. Its metallic blue leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. Metallic blue foliage all season that turns yellow and red in fall. There are several switchgrass varieties to choose from and its high tolerance for different planting sites makes ornamental switchgrass a great choice for any landscape. I could not believe how stiff and upright this tight clump grew. Stiffly erect metallic blue-grey blades that become yellow in fall; loose purple-green plumes rise above foliage Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an indistinguished habit of growth. This grass makes excellent background plants, and since this grass tolerates moist soils, it is a fine choice for water gardens or along stream banks. 1991. Airy plumes of red seed heads. An upright variety of Panicum, the strong stems of 'Heavy Metal' never flop or lean, even in heavy rains. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal ... Switch Grass was an important component of the Tall-grass Prairie that once covered much of the Great Plains. It will spread slowly over time and make stunning vertical accents wherever it is planted. This grass grows in a wide variety of soil conditions from wet to average, and is drought tolerant, once established. Here today, we're featuring heavy metal switch grass and this is has really stiff metallic blue blades and they retain their vertical form without flopping. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has metallic gray-blue leaves on a 3- to 4-foot tall plant. Common Name: Blue Switch Grass, Ornamental Grass. Leaf tips turn burgundy in the fall. Grow these perennials in full sun and average to dry soils. 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. Heavy Metal Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. Upright selection of Switch Grass. Mid-green stems bear stiff, erect, blue-gray leaves to 24 inches long. Beginning in late summer or early fall, delicate pink panicles dance 12-16" above the foliage. This selection forms a tall, narrow mound of olive-green leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers in late summer. Family Poaceae . Foliage turns yellow in autumn. It is typically found in moist sites, such as along the banks of streams, and grows 3 to 6 feet tall. Common Name: Blue Switch Grass, Ornamental Grass. Switch grass is a warm season grass with deep, fibrous roots, making it an outstanding plant for erosion control and soil stabilization. Great for the back of the border, mass planted or in Container. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ is a switch grass selection with a dramatically vertical habit. Beginning in late summer or early fall, delicate pink panicles dance 12-16" above the foliage. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Very adaptable to many soil conditions. They tolerate a wide range of soils, even clay and sandy soils and dry soils, but prefer the soil to be moist. so they're fantastic to use as a screen or cover beautiful grass. Noteworthy Characteristics. This outstanding selection forms a stiffly upright clump of powdery-blue leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers in late summer. They give the blue switch grass its distinctive swishing sound when moved by the breeze. It should be … The stiff, metallic powdery blue blades of Panicum virgatum 'Heavy metal' distinguish this native North American switch grass. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native prairie grass. Buy switch grass Panicum virgatum Heavy Metal - A fountain of metallic blue foliage: 9cm pot: £9.99 Delivery by Crocus We use cookies to provide you with a better service and experience. Retains vertical form without flopping, topped by airy, pink-tinged panicles in summer. Its ornamental stiff-clumped foliage is attractive and unusual in shades of metallic blue-grey. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. Grow in full sun in soil that is medium to light and moderately fertile. 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. Stiff, metallic blue blades distinguish this carefree native grass from others. ‘Apache Rose’ switch grass will grow 4’ tall, so you’ll want to plant the much shorter 10-12” tall ‘Pride and Joy’ sedum in front to bloom at its feet. 'Northwind' prefers full sun, and moist, fertile soil; however, the plant will tolerate sand, heavy clay, dry slopes and boggy areas. Long, slender, metallic-blue leaves form a dense columnar clump but may flop in overly fertile soils or too much shade. Heavy Metal Switch Grass Growing and Maintenance Tips. My favorite switch grass is ‘Heavy Metal.’ I first saw this plant from a tour bus at Longwood Gardens in 1992. In fall Heavy Metal Switch Grass get's attractive yellow, red and orange fall foliage. Other common names switch grass 'Heavy Metal' . In late summer airy tan/pink flowers appear in late Summer. Panicum virgatum, commonly called switch grass, is a Missouri native ornamental grass which was an important component of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large areas of the State.It occurs in both wet and dry soils in prairies and open woods, gravel bars and stream banks and along railroad tracks throughout most of the State. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. Stiff, metallic-blue blades set this switch grass apart from the others. Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Sku #6179. Genus Panicum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, with flat, narrowly lanceolate leaves, with large finely branched panicles of small spikelets in late summer or autumn It is a very vigorous, strong growing perennial grass whose foliage grows tightly and vertically; it won't flop over, even under snow. It's gonna have airy pink tinge panic in … Switchgrass, a tough ornamental grass that stands up to a variety of harsh conditions, adds both texture and color to a garden. Depending on the variety and cultivar, some have foliage that changes color in the fall. Switch Grass is a North American native grass that is very easy to grow. Suggested uses. Makes an excellent colorful accent in summer because of its intense blue color and dense buff-brown flower clusters held above the foliage. ‘Heavy Metal’ is a dense, upright plant with metallic blue foliage. Softly tactile pennisetums almost curtsy to the ground like a cat in the sun waiting to be stroked. Sporting one of the best burgundy foliage of all switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' is a deciduous, perennial grass of choice. CHECK AVAILABILITY. Soil type In summer airy pinkish flower panicles seem to dance in the evening light. An upright variety of Panicum, the strong stems of 'Heavy Metal' never flop or lean, even in heavy rains. Plants grow 3 … Heavy Metal Switch Grass is a dense fast-growing ornamental grass native to the prairies of North America. Cultivation. Red to copper flower at 4'-6' Height: 4-6 ft Width: 24-36 in Soil Conditions: Moist/Well Drained Flower Color: Red Bloom Time: July Hardiness Zone: 4 TO 9. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Grows best in full sun and will flop over if grown in shade or overly rich soils. Plant Family: Poaceae. Red Switch Grass. Panicum Virgatum Heavy Metal is an AGM-winning deciduous grass with good summer to autumn colour.. Switch Grass Heavy Metal (common name) emerges in spring with fresh new growth. Green flowers bloom in late summer to mid fall. Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, where it occurs naturally from 55°N latitude in Canada southwards into the United States and Mexico.Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. Several switchgrass cultivars are excellent plants for the home landscape. A clump-forming warm season grass. Fall colour is golden, fading to … Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is an upright prairie grass that produces feathery delicate flowers from July to September.It is common in Midwest prairies and is widespread in savannas of the Eastern United States. They tend to like an average soil that isn't too rich in organic matter, which can cause plants to flop. In mid-summer stems holding airy clusters of tiny pink flowers raise above the foliage like a cloud which turn brown in fall and persist through winter. This upright grass is a medium size grass, maturing at 3-4' with a 1-2' spread. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Item # Crop Image Size Current Inventory; 20077.1G #1 Architectural, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, City, Cottage/Informal. Foliage and stems are erect with metallic blue blades. Heavy Metal Panicum (Switch Grass) Plant is one of the showier Panicum grasses. Plant Description: Clump-forming, warm season, ornamental grass. Fertile soils or too much shade cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 and... North American Switch grass Panicum virgatum ‘ heavy Metal ’ is a Switch grass selection a... Giving it a metallic look of powdery-blue leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers bloom in summer! 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