Overview
Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' is a garden plant in the genus Molinia, part of the Poaceae family. It typically grows around 1.2 metres tall.
About
Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' is a cultivar of Molinia in the grass family Poaceae, forming upright tussocks of closely packed stems. It produces narrow purple flower spikelets on panicles and typically flowers from July to September. Plants can reach around 1.2 m where sheltered by neighbouring heathers or gorse. The dense tussock habit gives the plant resistance to surface fires.
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 'Black Arrows' belongs to the genus Molinia (family Poaceae) and is derived from the species commonly known as purple moor-grass. The species occurs across Europe, west Asia and north Africa and is widespread on moist heathland, bog and moorland in Great Britain and Ireland; it also grows from lowland areas up to alpine sites. The cultivar retains the species' narrow purple spikelets and tussock-forming habit. Grow it where soils are acidic: the species does best on low pH ground (ideally around pH 3.5–5) and will persist in very acid conditions. It favours consistently damp or wet soils rather than dry, free-draining sites, and often achieves greater height when sheltered by gorse or heather. The dense clumps make it resilient to surface fires and to the seasonal stresses encountered on heath and bog. Use Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' in wet or acid corners of the garden, bog gardens, naturalistic grass plantings and moorland-style schemes where its upright tussocks can be shown against low heathers. Expect narrow purple panicles from July to September that serve as a clear identification feature for the plant.
Plant details
Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' size, habit and characteristics
- Height
- 1.2 metres
Frequently asked questions
How big does Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' grow?
Molinia caerulea 'Black Arrows' reaches a height of 1.2 metres.
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More in the Molinia genus
- Molinia caeruleapurple 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 'Transparent'
- Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'Variegated Purple Moor Grass
- Molinia altissimaMoor Grass