Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'

RHS Plant Profile

eulalia 'Purpurascens'

RHS 1999

Synonyms

Miscanthus oligostachyus 'Purpurascens'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpureus'
Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens misapplied

Grass Like

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A tall deciduous grass with long, narrow, purple-tinged leaves and pinkish, silky flower sprays in late summer, soon becoming silvery and turning to fawn in autumn and winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Miscanthus can be deciduous or evergreen grasses with tufted or spreading habit, erect stems bearing arching, linear leaves and terminal panicles of silky spikelets in late summer or autumn
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring. Can be slow to establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free