Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' - Variegated Purple Moor Grass

Molina caerulea, commonly known as purple moor grass, is a dense, upright, warm season perennial grass featuring flat narrow leaf blades (to 18” long by 1/4” wide) which grow in a dense clump from 1-2’ tall. Erect to arching slender flower stalks topped by narrow flower panicles rise above the foliage clump to 3’ tall in mid-summer. Slender flowers are green and white with purplish tones, but somewhat rapidly fade to beige and brown. Leaf blades emerge green in spring. As the seed sets after flowering, the inflorescences, flower stalks and foliage turn an attractive golden yellow to orange yellow, eventually fading to a light tan. Species plants are native to moist places, including moors, fens, heaths, bogs and lake shores, in Europe and Asia.