Molinia 'Moorflamme'

Molinia 'Moorflamme': Small Clump, Big Orange-Red Finale

'Moorflamme' is a tidy little grass that keeps its cool all summer, then lights up orange-red in fall like it finally heard the gossip. Dark purple spikelets dance above the clump. SLOW BURN, BIG FINISH.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Moorflamme'
• Common Name: Purple Moor Grass
• Height: About 60 cm (2 ft)
• Spread: About 60 cm (2 ft)
• Flowers: Dark purple spikelets on slender stems held above the foliage, ripening to tan
• Bloom Time: Summer to fall (July to October)
• Foliage: Narrow green blades in a dense clump, turning orange-red in fall
• Features: Clump-forming, good fall colour

Where to Plant: Its modest size suits the front or middle of a sunny border, rock gardens, or groups along a path. The see-through flower stems add movement without hiding what's behind them. It also fits naturalistic, meadow-style plantings.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Moorflamme' in a moist bed in sun or part shade, where its orange-red fall colour follows spring and summer flowers. Heuchera FYRE WING™ 'Hematite' edges the front at 15 cm with dark foliage. Trollius 'Lemon Supreme' opens lemon-yellow globeflowers at 25 to 30 cm in May and June. Polemonium 'Apricot Delight' adds soft pink and apricot flowers at 40 to 50 cm in June and July. Aconitum 'Album' brings white monkshood at 90 to 120 cm in July and August.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun to part sun in moist, well-drained soil. It prefers neutral to acidic soil and doesn't love very dry, hot spots. Water regularly, especially in the first season. Moor grass is slow to settle in and can take two or three years to reach full size, so be patient. The stems tend to collapse in late fall. Cut the clump back to the ground in early spring, before new growth starts. Divide in spring only if needed.

History: Molinia caerulea is native to the moors, heaths and damp meadows of Europe and western Asia. 'Moorflamme' is a German selection named for its fiery fall colour.

Final Thoughts: Low maintenance and clump-forming, so it stays exactly where you put it. Plant a few at the front of the border. WORTH THE WAIT.