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Transparent flower stems of purple moor grass floating above the foliageOrnamental grasses

Molinia caerulea

Purple Moor Grass

native grasstransparentautumn colourself-cleaningmoist soil

Purple Moor Grass is a graceful native grass with fine, transparent flower stems that float like an airy cloud above the foliage. The purple flower heads appear from August to October and turn golden in autumn. The foliage drops cleanly in winter, requiring almost no clean-up.

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Characteristics

Sun
Full sun, Partial shade
Water
Medium
Height
60–150 cm
Spread
40–75 cm
Hardiness zone
4–8
Family
Poaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
purple
Wildlife value
birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist, humus-rich or peaty soil. Tolerates slightly acidic soils well. Water during dry periods. No fertiliser needed — too-rich soil produces floppy growth. Forms compact clumps without running.

Pruning tips

The foliage drops cleanly from the plant in late autumn — a unique trait. Clear fallen leaves and remove old flower stems in early spring. Divide overgrown clumps every five to six years in spring.

Good companions

Silvery-white plumes of Chinese Silver Grass swaying in autumn windOrnamental grasses

Miscanthus sinensis

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass is a striking ornamental grass that adds structure to any garden with its tall plumes and gracefully arching leaves. Silvery-white plumes appear from August to October and catch the autumn and winter light beautifully. The dried grass remains attractive throughout winter.

Full sunMedium150–250 cm
Stiffly upright plumes of feather reed grass as vertical accent in a borderOrnamental grasses

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

Feather Reed Grass

Feather Reed Grass is an elegant, stiffly upright ornamental grass with narrow, plume-like flower heads that appear in summer and fade to beige in autumn. Its compact, columnar silhouette makes it perfect as a vertical accent in borders and as a repeating element in modern gardens.

Full sunMedium100–180 cm
Pink-purple coneflower with orange-brown cone in a sunny borderPerennials

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower is a sturdy perennial with distinctive pink-purple petals surrounding an orange-brown cone. The flowers appear from July to September and are a magnet for butterflies and bees. In autumn and winter, the seed heads attract goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.

Full sunLow60–120 cm