Heavy Metal Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Nature Hills Nursery

Metallic Blue Foliage Stays Perfectly Upright Without Staking or Support
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$60⁷¹

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Full sun is essential for this grass to maintain its upright structure and metallic blue color. Provide at least six to eight hours of direct light daily or the stems may flop and lose their narrow, columnar shape.
Soil: This plant is famous for its versatility and thrives in almost any soil from heavy clay to dry sand. If you have extremely poor soil, adding a scoop of compost at planting helps, but avoid over-enriching the area as this grass actually prefers lean conditions to stay sturdy.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Heavy Metal Switch Grass once or twice a week to help the deep root system get established. Once mature, this native grass is exceptionally drought tolerant and typically only needs supplemental water during extended dry spells. Inconsistent watering or overly wet feet can lead to weak stems, while consistent moderate moisture results in the best height and flower cloud production.

Pruning Tips

Because this grass blooms on new wood, you should cut the entire plant back to about three or four inches above the ground in late winter or very early spring before new green shoots appear. Think of this like a fresh haircut that clears away the old, tan foliage to make room for the vibrant blue growth. Leaving the dried stalks up through winter provides great visual interest and shelter for songbirds, so there is no rush to prune in the fall.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring as the plant begins to wake up. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because they can stimulate soft, lush growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This grass is a light feeder, and over-fertilizing is often the primary reason for a plant "lodging" or falling over in the garden.

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Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Clay Tolerant, Salt Tolerant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	3-4 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Clay, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Pink
Fall Color	Yellow
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Species	virgatum
Cultivar	Heavy Metal
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Hardy Unique Color & Winter Interest Heavy Metal Switch Grass!

Amazing Metallic Blue-Green Blades
Colorful Erect Form
Winter Interest
Salt, Alkaline, Sandy & Clay Soil Tolerant
Wonderful Native Grass
Verticle Garden Element
Pinkish Airy Blooms
Yellow Fall Color
Deer Resistant
Draws Wildlife
Color, Texture, Motion & Sound!
Easy-care, Cold Hardy

The Heavy Metal Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'), also known as Blue Switch Grass, has a striking metallic blue leaf color. It has a very upright, erect growth habit and will not topple over in heavy rain.

Easy-care and very low maintenance, this unique grass sways and rustles in the breeze to offer so many sensory additions to the garden!

The clouds of pink blooms are made up of many tiny, pinkish-green flowers, lifted high on dainty stems. The vertical growing habit and amazing blue-green color on the blades shine in the sun!

In autumn, the entire plant takes on a bright-yellow autumn hue, and Heavy Metal seed heads persist into winter for wonderful drama in the landscape all year long!

How to Use Heavy Metal Switch Grass In The Landscape

The airy weeping plumes of pinkish, spike-like blooms rise high above the metallic blue foliage for a gossamer appearance in the late summer to the autumn garden. It is quite handsome when used in groups or as an accent plant in the landscape.

For a bold statement, a swath of Heavy Metal planted in drifts to define your property line or en masse to create a breezy atmosphere that helps prevent erosion. An excellent plant for meadows and naturalizing prairie-style gardens.

Ornamental grasses are always amazing partner plants in the perennial and butterfly gardens, working well with Daisy, Sunflowers, Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susan and Salvias. Mixing and mingling well with all colors!

Perfectly sized for smaller lots and urban gardening, these are tolerant enough to not be bothered by conditions along roadsides or in less-than-optimal locations. Use as anchors around the landscape and foundation plantings for year-round appeal.

Planting in groups of 3 always looks wonderful when using ornamental grasses, with the vertical lines Heavy Metal has to provide sculptural accents and create little vignettes throughout garden beds and borders.

Use as a strong line behind your garden beds as a waving backdrop or in containers as a vertical privacy fence. They add an amazing designer touch to your landscape. Coastal gardens and formal gardens both benefit from this tough grass!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Heavy Metal Switch Grass loves the full sun as well as does well in part-shade however, in less than 6 hours of sun a day, may lose its vertical growth habit. Taking on a more open and weeping form.

This hardy native ornamental grass handles climates in USDA Zones 4 through 9. Heavy Metal is a warm-season perennial grass, so don't be alarmed when you don't see it first thing in early spring. These are a bit slow to emerge from winter, ensuring no early spring frosts will nip off the new growth.

Deer avoid this grass which makes it safe to plant along wooded edges and in large drifts in out-of-the-way areas, plus it provides excellent cover and food for wildlife. A water-wise plant it's great for Xeriscaping!

Heavy Metal is a native grass of North America. So it is tough and can tolerate many soils and growing conditions. Plant Panicum in average to moist soil that is well-draining. Plus, this grass can thrive in or clay or even sandy soil.

Switch Grass even handles occasional flooding, salt spray and alkaline soil!

Heavy Metal bestows amazing late fall and winter interest in the garden, maintaining that upright growth and strong fall color all winter, even holding on to those beautiful blooms throughout the cold and snow. In spring, before this gets growing, you can prune back nearly to the ground for a clean spring look.

For knock-out color, vertical accents, airy drifts of blooms and hardiness you can't beat, you'll be glad you picked up a few Heavy Metal Switch Grass for your landscape today! Call Nature Hills as soon as these amazing plants are in stock!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide does Heavy Metal Switch Grass get at maturity?

Heavy Metal Switch Grass reaches 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide at maturity. This upright, clumping grass maintains its erect form without flopping, making it perfect for smaller spaces. Allow 2-3 feet between plants for proper air circulation and room to showcase its metallic blue foliage.

What are the care requirements for Heavy Metal Switch Grass after planting?

Heavy Metal Switch Grass is extremely low maintenance once established. Water regularly the first year, then it becomes drought tolerant and thrives in poor soils. Simply cut back to 4-6 inches in late winter before new growth emerges.

How much sun does Heavy Metal Switch Grass need?

Heavy Metal Switch Grass thrives in full sun for best color and upright growth habit. This hardy native tolerates partial sun but may lose some of its striking metallic blue coloration in shadier spots. Plant in the sunniest location available for optimal performance.

What type of soil is best for Heavy Metal Switch Grass?

Heavy Metal Switch Grass thrives in a wide range of soil types including salt, alkaline, sandy, and clay soils. This adaptable native grass is remarkably tolerant of poor conditions and less-than-optimal locations. Plant it anywhere from roadside spots to urban gardens where other plants might struggle.

Is Heavy Metal Switch Grass drought tolerant once established?

Yes, Heavy Metal Switch Grass is very drought tolerant once established. This native grass thrives in sandy soils and less-than-optimal conditions, making it extremely low maintenance. Water regularly the first year, then it will handle dry spells naturally. Shop at Nature Hills for this hardy native grass.

Is Heavy Metal Switch Grass deer resistant?

Yes, Heavy Metal Switch Grass is deer resistant. This native ornamental grass's tough, metallic blue-green blades are naturally unappealing to deer. Plant it confidently in areas where deer browsing is a concern, especially along property lines or in naturalized meadow settings.

Will Heavy Metal Switch Grass flop over or stay upright in heavy rain?

Heavy Metal Switch Grass maintains its upright, erect growth habit and will not topple over in heavy rain. This sturdy native grass has excellent structural integrity that keeps it standing through storms and weather. Plant it confidently in exposed areas where other grasses might flop.

Heavy Metal Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'