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ornamental grass

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass

Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'

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Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe') at Pesche's Garden Center

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  18 inches

Flower Height:  3 feet

Spread:  18 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

Tall upright purple plumes rise high above green fountain like foliage giving structure that is pleasing to the eye; displays rich golden yellow fall color that continues through winter; excellent accent, edging, and naturalizing groundcover

Ornamental Features

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The brown seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early to late fall. It features dainty spikes of purple flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late summer. Its grassy leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous gold in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Moorhexe Purple Moor Grass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features