Species purple moor grass
green stems and leaves.

purple moor grass

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer'

Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’) is a beautiful ornamental grass with tall, slender foliage, reaching 2 metres in height. Its luscious bluish-purple blades are accented by upright, cream, feathery seedheads in the late summer and autumn. This perennial, semi-evergreen grass is deciduous in cold areas and is best grown in sunny sites or partial shade, in moist yet well-drained soil. It is perfect for water features, at the back of sunny bare borders, or mixed herbaceous beds. Its easy maintenance and versatility make it an asset to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water your moor grass when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Generally, this species prefers an average amount of water, so an occasional deep soak is ideal. Water the moor grass thoroughly but remember to not over water it. Once a week should be enough during the hotter months and every 10 days or so during cooler weather. Be sure to take the weather into consideration, as you'll need to water more frequently during periods of drought and heat.

sunlight

Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer') prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in moist and relatively nutrient-rich soils. It can tolerate periods of full sun, however, too much sun can cause the foliage to dry out and begin to turn yellow. To achieve the best results, it should receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day; either morning or afternoon sun is fine, although morning sun is preferable.

pruning

Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer') is best pruned in early spring, before new growth begins. Cut the grass back to half its original height. This should be done over a period of several weeks and can be repeated annually. Pruning the grass in this way will promote vigorous growth and keep the grass looking neat and tidy. It also makes it easier to transport and divide the clumps of grass. For a neat, tidy look, trim the tips of the foliage after each mowing.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Purple moor grass typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map