Perennial of the Month-- January 2005
(pan' eh-cum vir-gA' tum) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)
Common name: Heavy Metal Switch Grass
Family: Poaceae, Grass
Height x width: 4' x 2'
Growth rate; habit: moderate, stiffly upright
Foliage: 2-3' long and ½" wide, flat, metallic lavender-blue, waxy whitish surface; turning yellowish in fall with reddish seedheads
Flowers: fine textured panicle to 2' long in mid to late summer, dark red to purple flowers fading beige
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9
Soil: well-drained, moist prefered but tolerates dry, sandy loam is ideal, does poorly on heavy soils, will tolerate periodic wet
Light: sun, more open and falls over in part shade
Pests and problems: none serious
Landscape habit, uses: borders, low screen, tolerates wind and salt spray, wildlife cover grass, native areas, dried flowers; bestmassed in groups of at least 3; combines well with Rudbeckia, Helianthus, bee balm, Shasta daisies, Little Bluestem, Fescues in mass around, or among Blue Oat Grass for contrasts of texture, height, and habit
Other interest: related to grain crop millet (miliaceum); native to North America; from Latin name for millet; one of the first of the several blue switch grasses, more upright and shorter than 'Prairie Sky'
Other culture: low maintenance, don't overfertilize, very adaptable
Propagation: spring division
Sources: many complete perennial nurseries