Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass)

Adding a touch of romance to the late-season garden, Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass) is a clump-forming, warm-season, perennial grass forming an airy cloud of small, red-purple flowers from late summer to mid-fall. The showy inflorescence, up to 15 in. long (37 cm) and 20 in. across (50 cm), seems to float above the dense tuft of flat, narrow, green leaves, 12 in. long (30 cm). It holds its pretty color for several weeks before fading to soft cream when the leaves turn reddish-purple. As the seeds mature, the inflorescence detaches from the plant in winter and disperses in the wind like tumbleweed to establish new colonies. Purple Love Grass spreads by seeds and short rhizomes. This fine-textured bunch-forming grass makes an attractive display when planted in groups in perennial borders, meadows, or open woodlands. It is also often used for erosion control on banks. The inflorescence is excellent for dried flower arrangements.

• Grows up to 12-24 in. tall and wide (30-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in medium to light, moderately fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor, infertile soil and has good drought tolerance. It is intolerant of heavy, wet soils. May need some winter protection in colder areas.
• A graceful addition to beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, prairies, and meadows.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Cut back old stems to the ground in early spring before growth resumes.
• Propagate by seed or division in spring
• Native to North America.