Eragrostis 'Purple Love Grass'

Eragrostis spectabilis: A Summer Haze in Soft Purple

Delicate and dreamy, Eragrostis spectabilis, or Purple Love Grass, offers a fine-textured base of blue-green foliage that transforms into a shimmering mist of colour in late summer. From midsummer into early fall, airy purple panicles rise just above the foliage, forming a soft, cloud-like halo that glows in low light and sways with the breeze. Compact and quietly showy, this warm-season native grass brings both movement and mood to sunny, well-drained plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–45 cm in bloom
• Spread: 30–60 cm, forming a low, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Purplish-pink fading to bronze
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early fall
• Foliage: Fine blue-green blades, turning tan in fall; soft texture and upright form
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil; drought tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Purple Love Grass is a natural choice for meadow plantings, gravel gardens, or sunny borders where late-season softness is welcome. Its subtle, floating blooms offer contrast to upright or boldly coloured companions, while its neat form makes it easy to tuck into smaller spaces or use in repetition. Drought tolerant and low maintenance, it contributes movement, light, and a gentle prairie character to the landscape without overwhelming nearby plants.

Companion Plants: Pair Eragrostis spectabilis with Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' for bold, warm-toned blooms, Coreopsis 'Zagreb' for fine texture and bright yellow flowers, and Sedum 'Autumn Joy' for late-season structure and rich colour. Together, they create a sun-loving composition that glows from midsummer through fall.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with excellent drainage. Water occasionally during establishment, then sparingly—this grass thrives in dry conditions. Cut back old foliage in early spring to refresh the clump. Divide every few years in spring if desired to maintain density and form.

History: Native to the prairies and open habitats of eastern North America, Eragrostis spectabilis has long been appreciated for its ephemeral flowering display and adaptability to challenging soils. Its airy plumes have inspired common names like “Purple Love Grass” for the soft, romantic veil they cast over late-season landscapes.

Final Thoughts: With its gossamer blooms and understated presence, Purple Love Grass offers a poetic finish to the summer garden. It’s a compact native grass that adds movement, light, and a touch of magic to the late-season palette.