Species Purple Three Awn Grass
green-brown foliage

Purple Three Awn Grass

Aristida purpurea

Also Known As - Red Three Awn Grass
Purple Three Awn Grass (Aristida purpurea) is an attractive, drought-tolerant native grass with a beautiful, deep purple colour. It is a delicate, yet tough, perennial species that thrives in dry, sandy soils. Its slender, upright structure forms dense clusters, with feathery seed heads atop gracefully arching stems. Its purple-coloured awns, or hairs, give this grass its name. It is ideal for xeriscaping, or landscaping that does not require supplemental water. Purple Three Awn Grass can add colour and texture to gardens, and has been used as an ornamental species as well.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Old Field Threeawn Grass prefers well-draining soils and should be watered deeply once a week. It requires more water during dry periods when temperatures are high. To ensure your plant stays healthy, drench the soil with 1-2 inches of water every 7-14 days. Be sure to water in the early morning hours so any remaining moisture has a chance to evaporate throughout the day. Avoid getting the foliage wet as this could cause rot or fungal disease. If temperatures are consistently high or if you live in an area with high winds, increase watering to twice a week for optimal performance.

sunlight

Old Field Threeawn Grass is a grass species that grows in dry or sandy areas across the United States. This species is tolerant of a range of temperatures and prefers direct sunlight. Ideally, the grass should get 8-10 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, when temperatures soar, it is beneficial to provide some shade in order to protect the grass from excess heat. In addition, this species also requires ample amounts of water during periods of drought. It should be watered deeply but frequently, in order to prevent wilting. In terms of seasonal light, Old Field Threeawn Grass can handle strong summer sun in the warmer months and shorter days in the winter. Although it will go dormant during the colder months, the species can survive and return in early spring when temperatures start to increase.

pruning

Old Field Threeawn Grass (Aristida oligantha) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new shoots begin to emerge. Prune the grass down to 4 to 6 inches, leaving up to an inch of new growth. Pruning can also be done in late summer, though this will generally only remove dead or dying foliage. If necessary, repeat the process of pruning in late summer and late winter to keep the grass looking neat and well groomed.

Season

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

Starts Flowering

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.