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

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.

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