Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass in the Garden
This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass

$35.99
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Availability : In Stock
$35.99
This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
  • Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
  • Mature Spread 3 - 4 Feet
  • Growing Zones 4 - 8

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass is a stunning addition to any ornamental grass border. Not only does this tough grass tolerate seasonal flooding and droughts, but it has a wide range of colors that appear throughout the year. The steel blue blades of grass turn brilliant shades of maroon and purple in the fall, highlighting the wheat toned seedheads. The steel color looks great when planted with other green and red foliage plants. Burning bush, Snowberry and upright Junipers all make good companion plants.

Heavy Metal has a very dense upright shape that does not need additional staking to look great. Wildlife use the dense foliage growth for shelter, while non-migratory birds will snack on the seedheads all winter. Blue Switch Grass is perfect for including in a Rain Garden plan or adding some modern drama grown in a container on its own. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass

Switch Grass is native to North American and has very few requirements to be successful in your garden. Full sun, average texture soil that is well drained and an annual cutting back in the late winter will ensure that Heavy Metal is happy. Watering deeply and regularly the first year will help this grass establish a deep root system that will be more drought tolerant as years go by.

Switchgrass generally does not need regular fertilizing. Applying an all purpose, slow release food during the early spring every 2-3 years is the recommendation. Cutting back the old growth early in spring is a must. This will help the new growth to be robust and keep the grass tidy and fresh looking.

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass Spacing

Heavy Metal is a compact yet taller grass that looks best when it is grouped in multiples of 3 or 5. The mature height is  3-4 feet with a spread of 2-3 feet. Planting along a fenceline or driveway as an informal low hedge is a great use for this tough plant. Space plants at 30 inches on center to maintain good air circulation.

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Pink, White
Flower Description:
Bloom Period: July To September
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Blue, Yellow
Foliage Description:
Seasonal Interest: Fall Flowering
Watering: Average
Resists: Deer
Tolerates: Drought, Salt
Attracts: Birds
Container Role:
Uses: Borders, Containers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance
Brand:
Common Name: Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass
Other Name(s):
Scientific Name: PANICUM VIRGATUM `HEAVY METAL`
SKU:
1231005338-pc

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.