Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Eragrostis geyeri
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-uh-GROS-tis speck-TAB-ih-liss
- Description
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A small, perennial, well-behaved ornamental grass that is found naturally in sandy fields, along roadsides, and in woodlands. It prefers well-drained slightly dry soil in the full sun. Plant in small groups or mass plan in a border, meadow, or native plant garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Possible pests: aphids, leaf spot, and spittlebugs
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eragrostis
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Canada to NE. Mexico
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Caryopsis dark brown .8 mm long as the seeds mature they dry and fall off the plant and are blown around by the wind. Fruits are available September-November and are pink and purple in color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Messy, loose appearance inflorescence is a panicle. Appears in late summer to fall (August-October)then appears as reddish-purple clouds and fades to soft brown.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Dull green hairy on both sides flat, up to 10" long 3/8" wide
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Salt
