The purple-tinted stems and flowers of this erect, compact grass attract attention during the warm months, especially where it grows abundantly along roadsides. The fine-textured foliage ranges in color from green to blue. In the fall, the three long awns attached to each seed glow in the sunlight. It has a wide distribution, growing at elevations from 1000 to 5000 feet in much of the Southwest. It thrives in sunny, dry locations, preferring minimal irrigation. It reseeds prolifically if water is available.
Aristida purpurea (Purple Three Awn)
Aristida purpurea
Purple Three Awn Grass
The purple-tinted stems and flowers of this erect, compact grass attract attention during the warm months, especially where it grows abundantly along roadsides. The fine-textured foliage ranges in color from green to blue. In the fall, the three long awns attached to each seed glow in the sunlight. It has a wide distribution, growing at elevations from 1000 to 5000 feet in much of the Southwest. It thrives in sunny, dry locations, preferring minimal irrigation. It reseeds prolifically if water is available.
| Plant Type | Native, Grass |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 6 (-10° F) |
| Flower Color | Green |
| Flower Season | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Height | 1' - 3' (ft) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (ft) |
| Spacing | 1' - 2' (ft) |
| Characteristics | Evergreen, Great Foliage |
| Attracts | Bees, Pollinators, Wildlife |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers |
| Tolerance | Cold, Dry Soil |
| Soil Type | Sand |
| Soil PH | Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Image by: Wiki Commons
Image by: Wiki Commons
This catalog is for reference purposes. Plants may not be available at all times in the nursery. Please check with our store for current availability.
