I bought a plant last fall because I like the fact that it is one of the "smaller" Panicums on the market. Mine seems quite happy and is about 3-4" high now. Panicums are a warm-weather grass, so they are just starting to grow here.

Some types of panicum are prone to flopping. You didn't mention what type you have? 'Dallas Blues' and 'Cloud Nine' are two I know of. I have read about this a lot online as well. If you want a very nice upright type, I suggest Panicum 'Northwind'. It looks like its been spray starched and it is the most well behaved. The growth is very stiff and vertical. I hate cutting it down each spring because it still looks so ornamental. This is one of the prettiest grasses I grow and I wouldn't be without it. Too much water and/or soil that is too rich will definitely cause flopping. Staking would look awful in my opinion, it would be better to find a replacement that works for the spot. I have dug out many clumps. Its hard work but if a 'girl' can do it........ Shrubs are much much worse to dig out. Most clumping grasses will start to die out in the center. If left long enough they will form a donut. If a clump is doing this, it is definitely time to dig it out and divide it. Or, you can take a saws-all to the center during your spring cutting back, cut it out dirt and all, like an apple core and replace the soil with some good soil. The grass with then be able to fill in. This post was edited by GreatPlains1 on Fri, Sep 13, 13 at 15:19

Grass Guy, Man ... that question really challenged my memory! I have been trying to come up with the answer by looking at my garden pictures. Problem is my camera lost its 'date' function for the month of May. My records show that I made divisions of a sport that I have in trial in mid April and they were showing nice new shoots but nothing 'above ground'. I can say that all my panicums are just starting to show an inch or two of growth in early May and by mid June they are at least 2 feet tall. This first pic shows the height of the Panicums with respect to a few other grasses. Panicum Heavy Metal is along the high red fence and in the middle background is a Panicum Warrior and a row of Panicum 'Rehbraun' and in this pic you can see a Panicum 'Heavy Metal' close-up. Both pics were taken June 23 of this year.

A grouping of 3 plants shown in different seasons. I started 6 more plants this spring from root sections, they were easy to dig out. Closeup in late summer 2014 with little bluestem in front Same clump wide shot February 2015 prior to cutting back Wide shot in late afternoon sun, P. 'Heavy Metal' to the right of photo May 2015 behind a swath of Mexican Feather Grass