Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal') is a choice ornamental native grass named for its attractive, stiffly upright blue-gray foliage. It blooms with attractive tan flowering sprays in late summer.
 
 
 
  
 
   
Common Name
 
   
 
Heavy Metal Blue Switchgrass
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Botanical Name
 
   
 
Panicum virgatum Heavy Metal
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Zones
 
   
 
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Light Requirements
 
   
 
Full Sun
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Flower Color
 
   
 
Pink, White
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Mature Height
 
   
 
60-72" tall
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Mature Spread
 
   
 
24-36" wide
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Bloom Time
 
   
 
Mid to late summer
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Ships As
 
   
 
Potted Plant
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Soil Type
 
   
 
Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Average Soil, Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Soil Moisture
 
   
 
Average
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Amount Of Rain
 
   
 
10 to 20", 20 to 30", 30 to 40"
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Advantages
 
   
 
Deer Resistant
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Ideal Region
 
   
 
Anywhere In The US, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Planting Time
 
   
 
Spring / Summer, Fall
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
Neonicotinoid Free
 
   
 
Yes