Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass

Name: Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass
Brand: Monrovia
SKU: 06179

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Pronunciation: PAN-ih-kum vir-GA-tum

SKU #06179

USDA Zone

4-9

Your climate might be too cold for this plant:

OVERVIEW
Description	Stiff, metallic blue blades distinguish this carefree native grass from others. Retains vertical form without flopping, topped by airy, pink-tinged panicles in summer. Brilliant foliage in fall. Attractive seed heads provide winter food for birds. Withstands seasonal flooding, yet drought tolerant when established.
Light	Full sun, Partial sun
Watering	Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry.
Blooms	Late Summer
Mature Size	Forms tight, upright clump; quickly reaches 3 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide.

DETAILS
Deciduous/Evergreen	Herbaceous
Special Features	Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Fall Color, North American Native Selection, Waterwise, Fast Growing, Benefits Birds
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Clumping

STYLE
Design Ideas	This is the natural native grass of North America, perfectly adapted to wild gardens and un-mowed natural meadows. A very adaptable and effective erosion-control plant in windy areas. Looks good and provides nutritious habitat for birds and small animals around water holes and water gardens. Attaining its lovely wheat coloring in autumn, it looks beautiful against the season's bright reds. Plant as a single clump in beds and borders.
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Gray-green
Companion Plants	Coneflower (Echinacea); Potentilla (Potentilla); Aster (Aster); Barberry (Berberis); Tickseed (Coreopsis)

CARE
Care	Easy to grow and adaptable to most soil types; prefers semi-moist to wet soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Tolerates mild drought, once established. Cut old foliage back and apply a general purpose fertilizer just before new shoots appear in late winter to early spring.

This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-9