PANICUM virgatum. Red switch grass. Species widespread, U.S. and Central America. Thicketing ornamental grasses with erect, leafy stems up to 3’ tall. The leaves are large and ribbon-like, usually bright green with a reddish tinge during the summer months. In fall, they turn almost solidly dark red. Lacy, open flower panicles, borne in summer, are also attractive, and the seed heads become almost as colorful as the foliage before shattering in late fall. Winter-deciduous (even the dried skeletons of last year’s shoots are attractive in winter). Our traditional offering has been ‘Haense Herms’, with excellent fall color. A more recent acquisition from John Greenlee, ‘Rotstrahlbusch’, is said to be the reddest of all. ‘Heavy Metal’, a recent introduction by Kurt Bluemel, represents a new color break in switch grass cultivars. In place of the usual red tones, it offers a chalky blue, much like some of the Leymus species (see their catalog entries). It is also more narrowly erect than other selections. Still another blue selection, but of more arching habit, is ‘Prairie Sky’. Use them at poolside, for the background of large borders, or even for containers. Sun, most soils, regular watering. Hardy to 0^oF. or less.