Autumn Flame Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- miss-KANTH-us pur-PUR-ah-senz
- Description
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This versatile plant is a graceful arching, fine-textured grass that forms dense, reddish-green clumps. The foliage is flexible and blows easily in the wind. Slender leaves originate in a clump, spreading out and up like a fountain. The 3- to 4-foot-tall clumps produce beautiful purple-red or red-orange foliage in autumn that are excellent to dry. The 8- to 10-inch-long plumes turn white persisting through the winter months.
Foliage is best left standing throughout the winter for visual interest and to provide protection for the crowns. Cut foliage to the ground in late winter just before new shoots appear.
Three additional characteristics make this a unique plant: first; it is adaptable to cold climates; second, the majority of times this plant is a non-invasive because it usually does not produce fertile seeds; third, Autumn or Flame grass is naturally small and not a dwarf enjoying a bit more moisture.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hercules'
- 'Hercules'
- 'Hercules'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hercules'
- 'Hercules'
- 'Hercules'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Miscanthus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the seeds. Provides cover for small mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Early flowering; narrow, vertical with few branches; opens with slight pink tints; drys silvery
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This sturdy plant is erect in sun and usually in light shade with the leaves being 1/2 inch in width.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Pollution
