Botanical Name: Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'
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Common Name: Moorhexe Purple Moorgrass  
Plant photo of: Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

High, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Foundation, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Bobbie Schwartz

  • Description

  • Notes

Moorhexe purple moorgrass is a lovely ornamental grass well suited to dry-shade areas. It is slow-growing, and forms a beautiful mop of foliage in a few years. Foliage is green with slight white ribbing. Plumes emerge mid-summer and are a lovely bronze to gold color; nice as cut flowers. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, with plumes rising another 12 to 18 inches.
Prefers rich, well-composted soil in light shade to full sun. In dry locations this grass prefers shade. It requires virtually no care and will happily grow in the same spot for many years. Moorgrass typically does not require cutting back in spring, although you can if you feel the need to tidy it up.