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1–3
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$35.00 ea
4-9
5% off
$33.25 ea
10-15
15% off
$29.75 ea
16-23
25% off
$26.25 ea
24+
35% off
$22.75 ea
41 in stock
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Choose Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass if you want a narrow, upright native grass with blue-toned foliage; the tradeoff is that it needs a sunny, open spot to hold its best color and form.
Buy This If
You want upright blue foliage.
You prefer a native grass.
You need texture without spreading.
Skip This If
You want a mounded grass.
You need strong winter screening.
Your site stays dry and shaded.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B+
Its upright blue foliage gives a clean vertical line without overwhelming nearby perennials.
Growth Rate
B+
It fills in quickly for a switchgrass, but it still builds as a clump rather than racing across the bed.
Maintenance
A-
Plan on one cutback in late winter or early spring and basic cleanup after storms.
Deer Resistance
A-
Deer rarely bother ornamental grasses; the bladed foliage is not a favorite, though hungry deer may nip tender new growth.
Small Space Fit
B
Its narrow habit helps in tighter beds, but it still needs breathing room so it does not crowd walkways.
Screening Value
C+
It can soften views in season, but it is not dense enough for privacy screening.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend this for sunny borders where the homeowner wants structure from a native grass without using a wide, floppy plant.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
4.5 ft
Mature Width
2 ft
Hardiness Zones
4a-9a
Spacing
2.5 ft
Sun
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
Upright, narrow columnar clumping
Customers Usually Ask
Does it spread aggressively?
No, it forms a clump and is not a running grass.
Should I cut it back?
Yes, cut it back before new spring growth starts.
Will the blue color hold?
Best color comes from a bright, open planting site.
Why buy for fall color
See the actual color before you buy it
Foliage, berries and late bloom — all three seasons of interest
Fall planting means roots established before winter
We use your zone to show which plants are hardy where you live.
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Jonathan Berenson
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Installation Service
Jon Kenyon
Really great website, communication and installation. Very happy customer and would recommend them.
Fairview Juniper
Anonymous
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
Northern Spicebush
Joseph Sico
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
Wichita Blue Juniper
Aileen Maconi
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
They're very "leggy" right now but that's not unexpected in the fall. Otherwise, they look healthy, and we're looking forward to seeing them next year.