Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Transparent'
Purple Moor Grass 'Transparent'
Molinea (Moor Grass) is a genus of herbaceous grasses found in the grass family Poaceae. They are typically native to damp moorland in Europe and North Africa. There are just two species remaining in this genus as many have been reclassified to some of the other genus in the grass family. Molinia caerulea - commonly referred to as Purple Moor Grass - is one species which is native from Europe to Kazakhstan, Mediterranean and Ethiopia. It is deciduous, mound-forming, with sword like grass blade foliage and it produces masses of delicate feathery stems, with flowers in Summer that open purple, and fade to beige. In Autumn the leaves turn yellow. It has two subspecies - Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea which grows to around 1m. high, and Molinia caerulea subsp. aurundinacea which is slightly taller and can be up to 2m high (sometimes referred to as Tall Purple Moor Grass). 'Transparent' has flowers that emerge green, but fade to purple-brown before they finally turn golden towards Winter.
Contributed by @jlove
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Full sun to partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Purple Moor Grass 'Transparent'
Latin name
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Transparent'
type
Deciduous Grass
family
Poaceae
ph
3.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun to partial shade
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Frost
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
1.00 M
1.50 M
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Transparent'
Molinea (Moor Grass) is a genus of herbaceous grasses found in the grass family Poaceae. They are typically native to damp moorland in Europe and North Africa. There are just two species remaining in this genus as many have been reclassified to some of the other genus in the grass family. Molinia caerulea - commonly referred to as Purple Moor Grass - is one species which is native from Europe to Kazakhstan, Mediterranean and Ethiopia. It is deciduous, mound-forming, with sword like grass blade foliage and it produces masses of delicate feathery stems, with flowers in Summer that open purple, and fade to beige. In Autumn the leaves turn yellow. It has two subspecies - Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea which grows to around 1m. high, and Molinia caerulea subsp. aurundinacea which is slightly taller and can be up to 2m high (sometimes referred to as Tall Purple Moor Grass). 'Transparent' has flowers that emerge green, but fade to purple-brown before they finally turn golden towards Winter.
Propagating by division
From Late Winter TO Early Spring
After approximately three years, once ornamental grasses have become established clumps they should be divided in order to retain vigour. This should be done in spring just as they are starting into growth. Carefully lift the clump with a spade then divide into sizeable chunks using a spade or large knife. The middle of the original clump should be discarded. If you plan to lift or divide the clumps, do this in spring just as plants shoot back into life.
Flowering
From Early Summer TO Late Summer
Purple flowers appear in Summer, fading to beige as they mature
Planting
From Early Spring TO Late Spring
Plant in Spring into a sunny, or partially sunny, position into moist free-draining soil. This grass is native to quite boggy areas, so keep soil moist - mulching will help
jlove