This outstanding selection forms a stiffly upright clump of powdery-blue leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers … Switch grass, Panicum virgatum, is one of many native prairie grasses that have been developed as ornamental grasses.Switchgrass – also called tall panic grass, tall prairiegrass, wild redtop, thatchgrass, and other common names – is one of the main species of grasses of the North American tallgrass prairie, ranging from southern Canada (south of latitude 55°N) to Mexico over most … Noteworthy Characteristics. Panicum Heavy Metal stems retain their upright form throughout the growing season and into winter. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. If a substitute is needed, Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ has similar cultural needs and habit. Prized for its unmatched foliage color, this handsome grass has fast growing green leaves that emerge with red tips in spring, darken through summer, and turn a rich burgundy in fall. ‘Heavy Metal’ is an outstanding Kurt Bluemel selection of native switch grass with stiff, vertical, metallic-blue blades. Panicum Heavy Metal - Common name:Switch Grass, Panic Grass - Strongly vertical metallic-blue foliage will age to yellow in the fall. Amber-yellow fall color. Panicum is a native warm-season genus that has lately become very popular with designers and hybridizers, both because of its toughness, … Since Northwind Switch Grass has been introduced by nurseryman, Roy Diblik in 1992, it’s use has steadily grown. Shenandoah Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Sku #6388. Proven Winners - Prairie Winds® 'Cheyenne Sky' - Red Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum tan plant details, information and resources. Use for mass background plantings or in containers. Sporting one of the best burgundy foliage of all switch grasses, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' is a deciduous, perennial grass of choice. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ is an attractive cultivar with glaucous, blue-green foliage topped with pink-green flowers in early autumn. In … May self-seed under ideal growing conditions. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ is a favorite switchgrass, well-loved for its dramatic, metallic blue foliage and for its strong upright habit that remains standing straight and tall. TRIVIA: ‘Northwind’ was recognized by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year for 2014. It forms an erect, compact and narrow clump of steely blue-green foliage in spring, which quickly takes on red tones by early summer and turns violet, purple, burgundy and wine-red by early fall. Late summer seed fronds tipped in copper persist for stunning winter interest. ‘Heavy Metal’ is more slender and a bit shorter, however. 'Heavy Metal' does not come true from seed and self-seeded plants may be best removed from a planting to preserve the uniformity of the foliage color. Later in autumn, the foliage turns a lovely golden-yellow colour. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ ... Switch Grass was an important component of the Tall-grass Prairie that once covered much of the Great Plains. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It looks fabulous planted in bold clumps that can sway in the breeze. Switch grass can be used as a groundcover to control erosion and for the transition areas between garden and wood areas. Cut old foliage in the spring. Airy reddish pink flowers develop in summer. Foliage and flowers of Panicum are effective in flower arrangements, both fresh and dried. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. A great cultivar of Switch grass that I really should replace some Miscanthus with is the Perennial Plant of the Year™ for 2014, the Northwind Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’). Panicum prefers full sun, and moist, fertile soil; however, the plant will tolerate sand, heavy clay, dry slopes and boggy areas. Best in masses.