Nassella pulchra
Purple Needlegrass
Description
This perennial grass has deep green leaves reaches 3' tall and 2' wide. Airy flowers and purple seedheads appear in spring. This grass tolerates full to part sun and clay soil. Foliage goes dormant in summer and then comes back when weather cools down. Nasella pulchra is used for restoring natural meadows, stabilizing soil and revegetation. This grass tolerates drought as well as wet conditions.
Plant Type
Perennial, Grass
Height Range
1-3'
Width Range
1-3'
Flower Color
Purple
Flower Season
Spring
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Fast
Soil Type
Unparticular
Soil Condition
Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Water Garden, Wetlands, Wild Garden, Woodland
Accenting Features
Unusual Foliage
Seasonal Interest
Winter, Spring, Fall
Location Uses
Lawn, Parking Strip, Park, Roadside, With Rocks
Special Uses
Container, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Lawn Substitute, Naturalizing
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.
If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.