Molinia caerulea aka Purple Moor Grass

Taxonomy

Genus Molinia Family Poaceae Order Poales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Molinia caerulea, also known as purple moor-grass, is a slow-growing perennial grass that is native to Europe, west Asia, and north Africa. It thrives in moist heathland, bogs and moorland throughout Britain and Ireland and can grow up to 2,300 m (7,546 ft) in the Alps. While it prefers acidic soils with pH values between 3.5 and 5, it can tolerate more extreme conditions. The grass forms large clumps of erect leaves and produces tall spikes of purple flowers in summer, making it a great ornamental grass for the front of a border. Its gentle, see-through appearance allows it to filter views to the plants behind. In autumn, the foliage turns electric yellow. The specific epithet caerulea means "deep blue" and refers to the purple spikelets. The foliage and flower stalks typically break down and fall over in late fall, so it's best to cut any surviving foliage back to the ground in early spring just before the new leaf blades appear. Introduced populations of purple moor-grass exist in northeastern and northwestern North America.

Common names

Purple Moor Grass, Moor Grass, Purple Moorgrass

How to care for Purple Moor Grass

Difficulty

Caring for Purple Moor Grass is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Purple Moor Grass should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Purple Moor Grass loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Purple Moor Grass requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Moor Grass is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Purple Moor Grass grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

The Purple Moor Grass is characterized by clumping growth, with new shoots emerging from the soil around the primary plant.

More info:
Wikipedia