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Grass Like

Molinia caerulea

purple moor-grass

Clump-forming deciduous grass to 1.2m in height with thin, linear bright green leaves. Slender airy plumes of tiny dark purple flowers, (spikelets) on dainty yellow-tinted, arching stems, are held high above the foliage from summer to autumn. Stems and leaves turn orange and gold by late autumn

Other common names

lavender grass
purple moor-grass

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
Genus: Molinia are deciduous perennial grasses, tufted in habit, with flat, linear leaves and erect stems bearing open flowering panicles in summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in full sun or part shade in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, but prefers neutral to acidic soil. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate species by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring. Pot up until established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Prairie planting
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down dead foliage and old flowered stems, just before growth commences in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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