About

Heidebraut' forms dense tussocks of narrow upright leaves, colouring in autumn. Slender plumes of densely-set dark purple spikelets are borne on deep purple-black arching stems, to around 1.2m tall. The stems turn colour as they age, becoming orange-yellow by late autumn.

About the genus

Molinia are deciduous perennial grasses, tufted in habit, with flat, linear leaves and erect stems bearing open flowering panicles in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeGrass Like
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Prairie planting

Care notes

CultivationWill grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil but prefers neutral to acid soils
PruningRemove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring and pot up until established
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free