Images Depict Mature Plants
Purple Love Grass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Purple Love Grass is a warm season grass that grows actively during the summer when soil temperatures are warm. It reaches heights of 1-2 feet even in the driest, poorest of soils. It thrives in full sun and sandy sites - even roadsides that receive winter road salt. Purple Love Grass can also grow under Black Walnut trees where other plants fail.
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Purple Love Grass for Sale Online
Eragrostis spectabilis, or Purple Love Grass, is a warm-season ornamental grass with a phenomenal range of seasonal colors and textures. In the spring, the petite plants form a loose, open tuft of blue-green blades. In the summer months, the plant is topped by attractive fluffy clouds of rosy purple. During the fall months, the leaves develop a bronzy red color. The "love" y" little grass thrives in sunny spots with poor dry soil.
Purple Love grass is widely used by internationally renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf and was listed as one of the "100 Must-Have Plants" in Gardens Illustrated magazine. The species was extensively planted in iOudolf’s designs for New YorCity's Highline and Chicago’s Lurie Garden.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 1.5 to 2 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Water Requirements: | Drought tolerant after established |
| Selling Points: | Deer Resistant, Native |
How to Care for Purple Love Grass
Before you buy a Purple Love Grass, make sure to read about the care instructions that are required and recommended to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
What is the best light for Purple Love Grass?
When planting your Purple Love Grass, be sure to choose the best location for the plant to thrive. It grows and flowers best in full sun, but it also tolerates part shade, especially in zones 8 and 9.
How do I prune my Purple Love Grass?
The Purple Love Grass maintains shape even while dormant so it still looks great in the winter. To cut back Purple Love Grass, only prune if too tall or floppy. If you do cut back, ensure it is prior to Summer so flowering is not impeded. Take care to cut back in the late winter before spring growth emerges.
How do I water Purple Love Grass?
Purple Love Grass has adaptations that make it a great choice for low-water landscapes. However, it needs proper drainage to sustain wet winters. In containers, Purple Love Grass takes average moisture but should not stay wet. Over watering, especially during dormancy, can be problematic. Water twice weekly for the first two to three months following planting. After established, this ornamental grass is extremely drought tolerant and rarely needs additional water. The exception is in extreme heat, especially in the first summer.
How do I plant Purple Love Grass'?
Purple Love Grass is often found in rocky soil and can thrive in hot and dry conditions. As a non-invasive perennial plant that grows up to 2 feet tall by 2.5 feet wide, you will want to space appropriately according to your desired finished look. It does best in mildly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.8 organic soil. Many gardeners opt to purchase Purple Love Grass in the summer when they are displaying their brilliant pink seasonal color.
