Panicum 'Hot Rod'
"Switch grass"
Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
What a beautiful ornamental grass this is! Panicum 'Hot Rod' is a compact, upright, clump-forming grass which produces blue-green foliage in spring, slowly maturing to deep rich burgundy in summer and into autumn. In late summer, attractive purple-red flower panicles are produced. These are held well above the leaves, and evolve into showy seed heads that provide excellent winter interest—and a haven for garden birds.
Panicum virgatum 'Hot Rod', which colours earlier in the season than most other grasses, reaches 90cm in height. It looks great as a specimen plant, but spectacular when planted en masse. It is ideal for a pot on a patio, balcony or terrace, and even suits being planted in a mixed container. It will be at its best in full sun, and in a well-drained, fertile soil. Also, if your winters are cold, Panicum virgatum 'Hot Rod' will be fine—it is hardy to -15ºC. Finally, it is both drought- and salt-tolerant, so it has to be one of the most accommodating plants we have ever sold!
Key features
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Comes back every year
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Thrives well in full sun
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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Drought tolerant
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Panicum virgatum 'Hot Rod'
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Flower colour
Purple, red
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Plant size
1
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Established height
70cm-1m
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Established spread
30-50cm
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Plant spacing
5 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green, red, bronze
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Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
2-3 years
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Sunlight
Full sun
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Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Borders
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Gravel gardens
Large containers
Low maintenance gardens
Wildlife gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Free draining
Dry -
Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Loam-based compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
No
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Mouse resistant
Yes
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak the Panicum 'Hot Rod' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Switch grass" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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