Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Ranch, Spanish, Wild Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Foundation, Lawn, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Lawn Substitute, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Short prairie grass of North America 2500-7000'. Warm season bunch grass. Extremely cold hardy. Full sun. Late spring & summer flower spikes often pink or purple. 18-24"H x 12-15"W. After flowering, seeds appear on one side of spike. Blue-green leaves turns to dry tan. Mow in early spring for clean regrowth. Very cold hardy into Canada. Birds and wildlife relish seeds. Larval food plant for many skipper butterflies. Cut back in fall.

Dig hole, insert plant slightly higher than soil grade. Disturb root ball very little. No amendments, just native soil. No fertilizers. Backfill the hole .Water lavishly. Mulch top of soil around plant in a 4' diameter circle. - Bert Wilson Las Pilitas