Purple Needle Grass, Purple Stipa, Purple Tussock Grass, Stipa pulchra
The state grass of California, Nassella pulchra (Purple Needle Grass) is a densely tufted, upright perennial bunchgrass with smooth to finely hairy, long green leaves. In early to mid-summer, it boasts conspicuously long, twice-bent awns, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), that extend from the tip of each of the flowers. Starting out purple, the nodding seed awns fade to a light wheat color and sway gracefully in the slightest breeze. The plant becomes dormant after seed production, turning golden, but begins growth again with cooler fall weather and rains. Purple Needle Grass is highly valued as an erosion control grass due to its longevity, tolerance to poor soil conditions, and its ability to establish a deep root system on disturbed sites with low soil fertility. It is also a valuable forage species that provides food for deer, elk, and other wildlife. Purple Needle Grass is an excellent native grass for use in low-water landscaping. Fire tolerant, it mixes beautifully with other native grasses, wildflowers, and perennials to create delicate and elegantly mobile combinations.
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses |
Plant Family | Poaceae |
Genus | Stipa |
Common names | Purple Needle Grass |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
Spacing |
18" - 30" (50cm - 80cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Evergreen |
Native Plants | California, United States |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses |
Plant Family | Poaceae |
Genus | Stipa |
Common names | Purple Needle Grass |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
Spacing |
18" - 30" (50cm - 80cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Evergreen |
Native Plants | California, United States |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Nassella pulchra (Purple Needle Grass) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Nassella pulchra (Purple Needle Grass) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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