About
A tufted, vase-shaped, perennial grass up to 90cm high, with strong clumps of green leaves which turn burnished golden-brown in autumn. Fairly upright stems of purplish flowers are held well above the leaves in summer and autumn, followed by seedheads which remain attractive in winter.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPrairie planting, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil, in an open site in full sun or partial shade; will tolerate infertile soil
PruningCut down dead leaves and old flowered stems to just above ground level in late winter or early spring; cut stems can be left around the plants as a mulch
PropagationPropagate by division in spring, and pot up until established
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free