Species Arrowfeather Three-Awn
beige stem with beige-brown hairs

Arrowfeather Three-Awn

Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens

Arrowfeather Three-Awn (Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens) is a clumping, grass-like perennial that is native to North and Central America. It is an excellent choice for low maintenance gardens and rockeries. It grows to approximately 18 inches tall, with leaf blades that are green in color and two to three awns per spikelet. Its flowers are a light purple color, and it blooms from June through August. It thrives in sunny sites with well-drained soil, and is perfect for gardeners looking for a unique textural element in their landscape.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Vegetative Plugging,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Arrowfeather Three-Awn (Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens) should be watered infrequently throughout the growing season. To ensure optimal growth, water the plant deeply but infrequently, about every 2-3 weeks. When watering, provide the plant with enough water to saturate the soil but avoid overwatering. Keep in mind that the soil should not remain wet for extended periods of time. During the hot summer months the plant should be watered more frequently, usually once a week. Make sure to check the soil's moisture levels regularly, just before watering, to determine if the plant needs more or less water as its needs may change due to the weather or season.

sunlight

Arrowfeather Three-Awn (Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens) should ideally receive full sun for most of the day, which can range from 4 to 8 hours. This plant species does best when it receives sunlight during the morning, around 9-11 am, and again during the afternoon, around 1-3 pm. Having a consistent and ample amount of sunlight will help the Arrowfeather Three-Awn thrive and bloom beautifully.

pruning

Arrowfeather Three-Awn (Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens) should be pruned twice a year—once in fall and once in late winter/early spring. In the fall, after the plant has gone dormant, remove any dead or damaged stems and prune back any stems that have grown beyond the desired shape and size. In late winter/early spring, remove any dead or damaged stems and cut back any weak or overly vigorous new growth. Pruning can be done with shears or hedge trimmers, but smaller stems can be pruned manually without any specialized tools. After pruning, fertilize the plant with a balanced slow-release fertilizer according to package instructions.