Switchgrass (Heavy Metal)

Panicum virgatum · Ornamental grass

Switchgrass (Heavy Metal) is a moderate-growing ornamental grass, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 3–6 ft × 2–3 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in moist, occasionally-dry and occasionally-wet soil. Expect yellow, pink and purple blooms in winter and summer. It attracts small mammals and songbirds, stands up well to black walnut, deer and drought and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones

5-9

Sun

Full sun, Part shade

Water

High

Mature size

3–6 ft × 2–3 ft

Spacing

3–6 ft

Growth rate

Medium

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet

Foliage

Blue, Green, Red

Bloom color

Yellow, Pink, Purple, Red

Bloom season

Winter, Summer

Attracts

Small mammals, Songbirds

Tough against

Black walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Erosion, Pollution, Salt, Wet soil

Native to

North America