Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Strahlenquelle'

RHS Plant Profile
purple moor-grass 'Strahlenquelle'

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purple moor-grass 'Strahlenquelle' RHS

Synonyms

Molinia caerulea 'Strahlenquelle'

Grass Like
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A tufted perennial grass up to 90cm high, with clumps of green leaves which turn golden yellow in autumn, and arching flower stems of bronze flowers from summer to autumn, followed by seedheads which remain attractive in winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Molinia are deciduous perennial grasses, tufted in habit, with flat, linear leaves and erect stems bearing open flowering panicles in summer
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil, in an open site in full sun or partial shade; will tolerate infertile soil

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, and pot up until established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down dead leaves and old flowered stems to just above ground level in late winter or early spring; cut stems can be left around the plants as a mulch

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free