Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Dark Defender'
purple moor-grass 'Dark Defender'
Clump-forming deciduous grass about 1m in height with narrow, linear rich green leaves. Slender, airy plumes of tiny dark purple-black flowers, on deep purple-black vertical stems, are held above the foliage from summer to autumn, then turn orange-yellow by late autumn and, unusually for a molinia, into winter
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Black | Purple Black | Green | |
| Autumn | Orange Yellow | Purple Black | Orange Yellow | |
| Winter | Brown | Brown | Brown |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- 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
Unresolved
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 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
Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems, just before growth commences in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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