Variegated Purple Moor Ornamental Grasses (Molinia Caerulea Variegata)

Variegated Purple Moor Ornamental Grasses Description

Variegated Purple Moor Grass is a visually striking ornamental grass, prized for its delicate variegated foliage and seasonal beauty. Its fine, arching leaves feature a striking combination of green with creamy white margins, creating a soft yet vibrant contrast that stands out in any garden. In late summer, slender flower spikes rise above the foliage, bearing purple tinged blooms that mature to a warm golden brown by autumn, offering interest well into the colder months. Its graceful habit and airy flower plumes make it a perfect choice for adding vertical interest and texture to borders, naturalistic plantings, or near water features.

At a mature height of around 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet), Variegated Purple Moor Grass is a compact variety that works well in smaller gardens, containers, or mixed borders. The plant is deciduous, with foliage that dies back in winter, but it regenerates with fresh growth in spring, offering a clean, upright clump that provides a sense of movement in the garden. It is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a low maintenance, attractive grass that offers both structure and seasonal colour.

Pruning Advice

When to Prune: The best time to prune Variegated Purple Moor Grass is in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins to emerge. This ensures the plant is ready for fresh growth and avoids cutting into the crown.

How to Prune:

Use sharp secateurs or garden shears to cut back the foliage to around 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) above the ground.

Remove any dead or damaged flower stems, ensuring you do not damage the crown of the plant.

Additional Tips:

Allow the seed heads to remain over winter for added interest and to provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Divide the plant every 3 to 4 years to maintain its vigour and prevent overcrowding. The best time to divide is in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge.

A light mulch in early spring can help retain moisture and suppress weeds during the growing season.

Further Information

Seasonal Interest: The variegated foliage offers a unique, bright accent to the garden throughout the growing season, turning golden and bronze in autumn. The flower spikes provide additional interest from late summer to winter.

Compact Size: Its relatively small size makes Variegated Purple Moor Grass suitable for smaller spaces, such as containers, small borders, or rock gardens.

Low Maintenance: This grass requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for low maintenance garden schemes.

Wildlife Friendly: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the seed heads provide food and shelter for birds during the winter months.

Versatile Aesthetic: Works well in a variety of settings, from naturalistic meadows to contemporary gardens. It pairs beautifully with other grasses and perennial plants, adding texture, movement, and colour.

Tolerates Moisture: Variegated Purple Moor Grass thrives in moist conditions, making it well suited to damp gardens, rain gardens, or planting near ponds and streams.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.