Purple needle grass

Nassella pulchra

Description

Purple needle grass is the state grass of California. It is a distinctive clumping grass with fine textured foliage growing 18-24 in. tall with upright inflorescences growing to 3 ft. tall. Nodding seed awns move gracefully in the wind and have a distinctive purple color in early spring before fading to a light wheat color.

Over the years, several preserves and restoration projects have been implemented across California in an effort to reestablish this grass and illustrate its habitat value. It can be successfully grown in both large and small scale plantings and can survive in natural areas with winter rainfall. Like other native needle grasses, summer watering is not recommended during its season of dormancy. It is grown in garden situations with other native grasses, wildflowers and perennials where it adds a delicate and elegant touch to the plantings.

Plant Type: Grass, Native
Foliage Character: Drought deciduous
Habit: Upright, Graceful, Delicate, Clumping
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage Color: Light green
Flower Color: Purple, Tan
Flower Season: Summer, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Drought, All day sun
Function: Container plant, Attracts butterflies, Wildlife value, Small spaces, Restoration, Mass planting, Flowering accent plant
Height: 18 in. – 24 in.
Width: 18 in. – 30 in.

Watering Schedule: Extra Low

For most situations, we recommend no watering after establishment. Some deep waterings may be acceptable to replicate rain during the cool season in drought years but should be done no later than early spring and always in cool weather. These plants are very drought adapted, and any watering in the warm season may kill them.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

The few plants on this website in this category are ones that are usually negatively impacted by watering during hot conditions. If they receive water in the summer after they are established, many of the plants in this category will often quickly die.
Due to their sensitivity to any summer water, beginner gardeners sometimes find plants in this category difficult to grow. If you choose to plant a plant in this category, we encourage you to consider it an experiment. Do not despair if the plant dies! If this is intimidating, we suggest you choose another plant one of the other watering recommendation categories.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system. Extremely Low water use plants should not be planted in areas that receive any automatic irrigation.
These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.

This small bunch grass is best used in naturalistic gardens where it can be allowed to go summer dormant, with very little summer water, as it is adapted to do in habitat. It will stay greener, but can be short lived with more summer water (S). In most landscapes this is not a good choice for the main plant in a large meadow because it does not compete well with weeds. In casually cultivated landscapes is often more successful in small groups planted about 3′ apart, intermixed or nearby wildflowers and perennials (6). If desired, cut back in late summer or early fall before cool season growth. Seed heads have a barb and can get caught in pets fur, ears, or even end up under skin. This can be avoided by cutting back plants early before seeds dry (S). References

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Purple needle grass

Description

Watering Schedule: Extra Low

Important Notes

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