Scientific Name: Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’
Common Name: Heavy Metal Switch Grass
Family: Poaceae
Article by Susan Bruneni
One of the showiest switch grass cultivars is ‘Heavy Metal’ switch grass, named for its distinct metallic blue foliage when mature. Heavy metal also provides the advantage of a rigid structure, maintaining its up-right stance. Other switch grass varieties tend to flop over later in the growing season.
Heavy metal switch grass reaches a height of three to five feet, with a spread of one to three feet. In late summer, feathery greenish-pink blooms appear above the foliage. Mature seeds turn a golden color. Seed plumes persist well into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds. Flowers can also be used cut or dried.
Heavy metal switch grass can tolerate wet soil, but is also drought-resistant when established. There are no insect problems in the dry northern New Mexico climate. This clumping perennial grass can be used as an accent plant, in groups or mass plantings. Its thick, compact growth pattern makes an effective screen. The long tap root is helpful for erosion prevention. Heavy metal prefers full sun, but will also grow in partial shade. It can be cut back when new seasonal growth appears.
Switch grass was an important component of the tall-grass prairie that once covered much of the Great Plains. Today, it is a key component of the bio-fuel program at Oklahoma State University for production of ethanol.
References
Missouri Botanical Garden (missouribotanicalgarden.org)
USDA.gov
Switchgrass-okstate.edu
