Panicum, Blue Switch Grass, Wand Panic Grass
Panicumvirgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Family: Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Panicum (PAN-ih-kum)
Species: virgatum (vir-GA-tum)
Cultivar: Heavy Metal

Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer

Foliage Color
Blue-Green

Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Pink

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed