{"product_id":"heavy-metal","title":"Heavy Metal","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy Metal Switchgrass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePanicum virgatum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 'Heavy Metal') is a striking ornamental grass prized for its metallic blue-gray foliage and strong, upright growth habit. Growing approximately 4-5 feet tall, it forms a narrow, vertical clump of stiff foliage that maintains its upright form throughout the growing season. Its distinctive blue coloration provides excellent contrast against green, golden, and burgundy foliage in the landscape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn late summer, airy pinkish flower panicles emerge above the foliage, creating a soft contrast against the rigid, upright leaves. As fall progresses, the flowers mature to tan and the foliage develops attractive golden-yellow tones. The dried stems and seed heads can be left standing through winter to provide additional texture, structure, and wildlife value.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy Metal is an excellent choice for mixed borders, mass plantings, screening, rain gardens, naturalized areas, or as a vertical accent. As a cultivar of native switchgrass, it is adaptable, durable, and easy to grow in a wide range of landscape conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore About Heavy Metal Switchgrass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLow Maintenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate Growing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerennial Ornamental Grass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative Cultivar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetallic Blue-Gray Foliage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed Border, Mass Planting, Screening, Rain Garden, Naturalized Area, Accent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong, Upright Habit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAiry Late-Summer Flower Panicles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvides Winter Texture and Structure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrought Tolerant Once Established\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeer Resistant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvides Wildlife Value\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 4-5 Feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpread\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 2-3 Feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 4-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun (best form and color in full sun)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeason of Interest: Summer, Fall, Winter Texture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil Moisture: Dry to Moist, Adaptable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttributes: Clumping, Upright, Narrow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage Color: Metallic Blue-Gray, Turning Golden-Yellow in Fall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower Color: Pinkish, Maturing to Tan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare \u0026amp; Maintenance Tips\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant in full sun for the strongest upright growth and best blue-gray foliage color. Heavy Metal can tolerate some light shade, but too much shade may cause weaker or floppier growth. It is highly adaptable to different soil types and can tolerate both periodically wet and relatively dry conditions once established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Heavy Metal is drought tolerant and generally requires supplemental watering only during extended periods of hot, dry weather.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy Metal generally requires very little fertilizer. If needed, apply a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid excessive fertilization, which can encourage overly vigorous or floppy growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePruning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeave the dried foliage and seed heads standing through winter for added texture, structure, and wildlife value. Cut the entire plant back to approximately 4-6 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hunterdon Tree \u0026 Shrub","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon (4 Pack)","offer_id":50520139006192,"sku":"Heavy Metal","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Gallon","offer_id":50520139038960,"sku":"Heavy Metal 2g","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Gallon","offer_id":50520131436784,"sku":"Heavy Metal 3g","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5680\/9200\/files\/images_4_94dc2965-79ea-41a7-899b-e60c6c4f3c09.jpg?v=1790105817","url":"https:\/\/hunterdontree.com\/products\/heavy-metal","provider":"Hunterdon Tree \u0026 Shrub","version":"1.0","type":"link"}