Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' - Switchgrass cultivar

Sizes available: Two gallon

Basics: zones 4-9, 48-60" x 36", full sun, the blooms appear in late summer as a pink-toned haze above the blue-grey leaves. The leaves turn yellow in the fall, drying to tan for the winter. Tolerant and adaptable of various soil types and moisture levels.

Common names: This is a cultivar of Switchgrass

Family: Poaceae

Origin/Distribution: The species is a classic, dominant component of the Tall Grass Prairie and is widely distributed across North America. It is found on remnant prairies, in pastures, and on roadsides, and is native to Maine. This cultivar is a selection developed by plantsman Kurt Bluemel. 

Habitat: The species occurs. on stream banks, in open woods, and on grasslands both damp and dry.

More: This is a warm season grass, which means it is slow to awaken in spring and does its most active growing during the warm summer months. Ground-feeding songbirds and game birds will eat the seeds as will small mammals. Grasses are excellent cover for numerous species in both summer and winter. The dried stalks are beautiful in the later seasons. Grasses add sound, movement, and texture to the garden. This cultivar has a very vertical, somewhat stiff silhouette when compared to the species. Cut back warm season grasses in the early spring prior to new growth.

Source: Van Berkum Nursery

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery