Overview
Molinia caerulea is a grass in the genus Molinia, part of the Q43238 family. Molinia caerulea grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acidic and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, naturalistic plantings and wet meadows. It is native to Europe Asia.
About
Molinia caerulea is a perennial grass native to Europe and Asia that tolerates moist, acidic ground. It prefers full sun or partial shade and will grow in sandy, loamy or peaty soils that remain moist or wet. Rated H7 (fully hardy) for the UK, it flowers from July to September. Suitable uses include borders, naturalistic plantings and wet meadows.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Molinia caerulea
About the genus
Molinia, or moor grass, is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the grass family, native to damp moorland in Eurasia and northern Africa. They are both herbaceous perennial grasses.
Wikipedia contributors, "Molinia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Molinia
In the garden
Molinia caerulea is a grass native to Europe and Asia that suits wetter sites where many other grasses struggle. It establishes on sandy, loamy or peaty soils and accepts a pH range from acidic to neutral, so it is a good choice where peat or naturally acid soils occur. In the UK it carries a fully hardy rating of H7. Position Molinia caerulea in full sun or partial shade and ensure the soil does not dry out; it performs best where moisture is retained or in regularly wet ground. The stated soil types — sandy, loamy and peaty — cover a wide range of wetter garden situations, while the acid–neutral pH tolerance means it will fit into both heathier, peaty borders and neutral wet meadows. Use it where seasonal flowering and a moisture-tolerant grass are needed: structural lines in naturalistic plantings, the damp edges of borders and established wet-meadow schemes are all appropriate. Expect its flowering season to run from July to September, so plant it where late-summer inflorescences will contribute to meadow and border sequences rather than early-season displays.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Molinia
- Sunlight
- full sun, partial shade
- Soil type
- sandy, loamy, peaty
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Soil moisture
- moist, wet
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Molinia caerulea size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
- Suggested uses
- borders, naturalistic plantings, wet meadows
- Native to
- Europe Asia
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Molinia caerulea
- Cultivation
- Prefers moist, acidic soils; tolerates wet conditions; avoid dry soils
- Pruning
- Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring
- Propagation
- division in spring or autumn, seed
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Molinia caerulea?
Prefers moist, acidic soils; tolerates wet conditions; avoid dry soils.
Where is the best place to plant Molinia caerulea?
Molinia caerulea prefers full sun and partial shade.
What soil does Molinia caerulea need?
Molinia caerulea is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and peaty. It prefers acidic and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist to wet.
How do I prune Molinia caerulea?
Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring.
Is Molinia caerulea hardy in the UK?
Molinia caerulea has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Molinia caerulea?
Division in spring or autumn, seed.
More in the Molinia genus
- Molinia
- Molinia altissimaMoor Grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows'Purple Moor-grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Heidebraut'Purple Moor-grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Karl Foerster'Purple Moor-grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'Purple Moor-Grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Poul Petersen'Purple Moor-grass
- Molinia caerulea 'Torch'PBRpurple moor-grass 'Torch'