Panicum ‘Northwind’ vs Panicum ‘Heavy Metal”
echolane
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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texasranger2
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoecholane
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Experience with Panicum 'Northwind?'
Comments (9)I took the yardstick outside and measured. Mine are going on their 3rd summer from 4" pots planted in fall 2011. Height 5ft. Width at top 3ft. Exactly. They make a great specimen grass so yes, they would look very nice being the only grass in the border. I dug three 2yr old plants up last year in spring very easily but it set them back on size that year. Other comments? They look fabulous under an outdoor light, backlit by sun or in the moonlight and I love the gentle way they sway in the wind. Its one of my favorite grasses. They stay upright in winter, I almost hate to cut them back in spring. Also, they bloom for me quite early, in late June here so thats another + of a long period compared to some later blooming grasses. They will take moist soil but they have flopped down in rain when wet, they recover quickly however. Here is a photo I shot of a grouping of 3 in early July....See MoreThe reddest Panicum virgatum
Comments (25)Interesting query & comments about the 'best' red panicum. Obviously some of this will depend on your personal view of red. A lot of the new 'red' panicums on the market have a predominantly blue-green leaf early in the season. Many of these, including introductions from my garden (Blood Brothers & Samurai) turn a deep blood red /burgandy. Many of the older 'red' panicum cultivars have a predominantly green leaf early in the season and colour up to more of a cherry red . The only one of these that I'm growing was purchased under the cultivar name 'Rehbraun' Although it colours up later than Blood Brothers or Samurai, it has a rather nice 'bushy' form that makes a stronger colour statement from a distance (colour is similar to that found on Japanese Blood Grass)....See MorePanicum Heavy Metal
Comments (1)It's one of my most vertical grasses. It's a prairie grass. So, make certain it's in full sun and, if you''re fertilizing it, stop....See MorePanicum, Heavy Metal or Northwind?
Comments (6)I have both kinds. The only time I had a flopping problem was one year we got above average rain & they grew taller than usual, the Northwind flopped for a few days but then recovered however the Heavy Metal didn't, both plants had reached bloom stage when this happened. Another difference is the Northwind seems to die out in the centers of the clumps after 4 years but the Heavy Metal never has. I divided the Northwind plants but so far have not had to divide the Heavy Metal, I think I've had them for about 7 years now. Dallas Blues is taller and behaves well too, nice pink blooms, very pretty. They all stay looking nice through winter here in Oklahoma....See Moreecholane
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agotexasranger2
5 years agoecholane
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoecholane
5 years agotexasranger2
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoecholane
5 years agobella rosa
5 years ago
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