Panicum 'Hot Rod'
"Switch grass"
Orders placed before 1 March 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 your 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.
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 before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in Feb/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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