Species Red Three Awn
yellow-green foliage

Red Three Awn

Aristida purpurea var. longiseta

Also Known As - Long Awned,Three Awn Grass
Red Three Awn (Aristida purpurea var. longiseta) is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial grass native to North America. Growing only 1 to 2 feet tall, the bright green foliage is covered in stiff, thin, rigid stems with colorful bronze-red tipped awns. This perennial grass is drought tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It prefers full sun and can easily tolerate heat and drought once established. Its unique foliage colour stands out in the landscape, adding colour and texture to the garden and makes for a great ornamental grass. Red Three Awn will thrive in most soil types and isn't fussy about soil pH. Plant in masses for maximum visual effect and to attract pollinators to the garden.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering 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

Red Three Awn should be watered frequently with an inch of water 1-2 times a week during the growing season. This will help to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. During the hottest summer months, it should be watered more frequently. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter, the Red Three Awn needs much less water and can go several weeks without water.

sunlight

The Red Three Awn plant species (Aristida purpurea var. longiseta) requires a full sun to partial shade position in order to thrive and grow. The plant requires about 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and no more than 12 hours because it can become scorched and sunburned in intense light. The plant does best with morning sun and some dappled afternoon shade, as the intense afternoon sun can be too hot. The plant does best in sunny locations that have some protection from strong wind and intense light.

pruning

When it comes to pruning Red Three Awn, it should be done only once a year, ideally in the late summer or early fall. The purpose of pruning red 3 awn is to remove any dead, damaged, or unruly grass, and also to control its size and shape. To do so, trim off no more than 1/3 of the grass’s total height. Additionally, you should only trim the outer edges of the grass, keeping the center area untouched. Always use sharp pruning shears and avoid cutting too close to the base of the grass as this can damage its root system.