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| Category: Grass |
| Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses) |
| Origin: Prairie Provinces (North America) |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 4-5 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Blue Switch Grass) - A deciduous warm-season narrowly upright clump-forming grass native to the American prairies. It has steely-blue upright foliage to 3-4 ft tall that turns a nice yellow color in fall and attractive airy pink-tinged flowers that rise a foot or more above the foliage in mid-summer. Plant in full sun. Tolerant of most soils and irrigation practices from dry to soggy - shorter when kept dry. Hardy into USDA zone 4. 'Heavy Metal' was a selection made by Kurt Bluemel with chalky-colored foliage - it is more upright than 'Prairie Sky'. It remains attractive as a dormant grass but should be cut back in late winter to early spring so not to detract from the newly emerging foliage.
The information about Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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