I hate to see a post go unanswered. I don't know where you are or if you have checked out these sites. Looks like a nice var. - I will have to look for this one too! Here is a link that i got for you. Panicum 'Hot Rod'

Thanks - still can't find this plant in stock anywhere...

Burpee advertises it.

I just ordered one from Santa Rosa Gardens, 4" sized plugs a couple weeks ago. Aw rats! I just checked, they sold the few that were left since I looked last. Closest thing they still have is Ruby Ribbons. I had a hard time choosing between these two myself.

I highly recommend ordering from SRG. I just got their last 8 Panicum 'Northwind' plants in the mail today. My 4th order this fall with discounts and coupons.

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Ornamental-Grasses-Sedges-Grass-s/2.htm#/?Brand=Ornamental+Grass&search_return=all&page=6

How do you Hot Rods look Texasranger? I finally found a few and frankly am disappointed. I thought the would be more robust (bigger and brighter red). Mine were pretty dull this first year, not terribly colorful, and not very thick...kind of scrawny.

From what I've read its a small switchgrass compared to others & slower growing but thats also true of other red ones-- 'Shenandoah' is also smallish compared to others. I read that they are not as vigorous as the green types but that could be a good thing because the others do get quite large.

I bought a single 4" sized 'Hot Rod' plug this fall from SRG so I can't really comment on how it performs yet but currently its not much more than a few sprigs with a small root. I looked online and from what I can tell, no one has been growing it long enough to have pictures of mature looking plants so I think we are trial customers so to speak.

The same seems to be true for the new cultivars of Big Bluestem that are supposed to be red. I'm gambling in the dark on that one too and the few pictures online showed starter size plants or the photo sent out by the breeder. I did get color on the small ones and they look very promising. I ordered quite a few of these.

None of the panicums reach anything close to maturity in the first year & I think this one is going to be even slower to become a specimen.

Where did you get your new cultivars of Big Bluestems, and do you know where I can see a picture? Thanks.

There are several varieties. Google the names below and you'll come up with several sites that have photos

Here is a blog that shows a side by side comparison shot of 'Red October' and 'Indian Warrior'
http://www.rhonestreetgardens.com/2013/01/quest-for-your-holy-grail.html

Andropogon 'Rain Dance'

Andropogon 'Red October'

Andropogon 'Blackhawks'

Andropogon 'Dancing Wind'

I purchased mine from Santa Rosa Gardens--- several 'Red October', 6 'Blackhawks' and 3 'Dancing Wind' during the fall sale. They are out of all of them except 'Rain Dance'.

High Country Gardens carries a very blue type called 'Windwalker' that turns pink.

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Ornamental-Grasses-Sedges-Grass-s/2.htm

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/ornamental-grass/andropogon-gerardii-windwalker

Bluestem Nursery has one named A. 'New Wave' that looks interesting but I've never ordered from them or seen a photo online.

http://www.bluestem.ca/andropogon.htm

They all color up very nicely for me but are slow to get mature. Big Bluestem spends the first couple years putting the energy into working on deep roots. I wasn't crazy about 'Blackhawks' from the photos but they were out of Red October so I gambled and bought 3. I liked the color so much (purple going to red) that I ordered 3 more before they ran out after seeing them in person.

You ever try Overdam at your place? http://www.bluestem.ca/calamagrostis-overdam.htm I tried Karl Foerester here...just burned up...

Where are you located?? Overdam is just a variegated form of Calamagrostis x acutiflora so no real difference from Karl Foerster. If that burnt up, so would Overdam!! Feather reed grass is a water lover compared to most other OG's, so that may be a contributing factor - prefers moist to wet soils.

I bought one from SRG late last summer and it didn't do much after it arrived. This spring it's been a little slow to green up and I am hoping it won't remain so slow. I've definitely got my eyes on it to see how it will do.

Mine were slow to get started and slow growing too, in my opinion...