List 6 – Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’
Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’ (variegated purple moor grass)
Family: Poaceae
USDA Hardiness Zone: Zone 4 – 9
Size:
- 1 m wide
- 5-1 m tall
Form:
- Clump-forming; tufted
Soil & Water requirements:
- Medium to wet soil
- Well-drained
Exposure:
- Full sun; tolerates light shade
Leaves:
- Variegated leaves with yellow stalks (note: the unvariegated version has both green leaves and stalks)
- Well behaved = variegation does not tend to revert back
- In the sun, leaves turn purple at the tips
- The yellowish-white and green striped leaves with purple tinge gives a unique look and texture to the grass
- Deciduous grass
Flowers:
- Purple tinged; narrow panicles
- 60cm high in late summer
- Creates a beautiful, airy effect
Maintenance:
- Post-winter/early spring: surviving foliage can be cut to ground before new blades appear
Suitable uses:
- Rain garden
- Front of the border
- Accent of group massing
- Container planting
Potential pairings:
- Can be difficult to pair with other plants because of its very regular, clump-forming nature
- Colour partners: purple; yellow; green; white
Propagation:
- Slow-growing grass