Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 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.