Molinia
Moor grass
- Height × spread
- 0.4m – 2.4m × 0.5m – 2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The purple moor grasses develop a large clump of pendulous or arching leaves and from this the flower stalks, often extremely long, arise. There are one or two exceptions to this generalization. Some forms have a rigid upright growth habit, ramrod straight, such as Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe' whose flowering spikes continue the upward trajectory. The arching varieties make substantial features when in flower. Molinia caerulea 'Transparent' carries its shimmering flower heads nearly 2 metres above the ground and well clear of the leaves. Even more dramatic, Molinia caerulea 'Skyracer' can stand around 2.5 metres in height when in flower.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Gold, Purple, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Beige, Brown, Gold, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Cube, Fan
- Height
- 0.4m – 2.4m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- All conditions
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Found in
More Molinia
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend
Molinia caerulea
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend
Molinia caerulea 'Banshee'
Purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Karl Foerster'
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend, Tall purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend
Molinia caerulea 'Poul Petersen'
Purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Transparent'
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend, Tall purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Windspiel'
Purple moor grass, Mountain's friend, Tall purple moor grass