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    • Photo of Nassella pulchra form, showy seedheads by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Nassella pulchra

    Also Known As

    • Purple Needlegrass

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 18"
    • W: 12"

    planting zones

    • 7a-11

    More Options

    Nassella pulchra plant details

    Nassella pulchra is an evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with. In spring purple flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control, seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Nassella pulchra

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Mature size: 12 IN wide, 18 IN tall
    Flowers: purple blooms in spring
    Uses: self-sowing, woodland garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Nassella pulchra

    USDA Zones: 7a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, erosion, seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, clay, rich, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This perennial bunchgrass is long-lived and drought tolerant and grows from 1-3? tall. An excellent choice for dry meadow, accents in mixed border, in rock gardens or in containers. Purple needlegrass is one of the key components of California?s native grasslands. Roots extend down 20 ft to tap soil moisture and provide erosion control. Will stay green longer with a little summer water. Purple needlegrass became the California State Grass in 2004! Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Provides shelter and food for small animals. Seed was used by many California Native America groups as a food source. Found in coastal hills, valleys, and mountain ranges. Communitites located in Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland Between 0 and 5000 feet.

    By: The Watershed Nursery

    Our California state grass, purple needlegrass forms tight bunches to 18? high with flowering stems to 3', covered in purplish flowers. In summer, both flowers and leaves mature to a golden brown, remaining dormant until the arrival of winter rains. Useful in the wild garden, in meadows or on rocky slopes, it tolerates extremes in exposure and soil, but performs best in full sun in well-drained soil. Reseeds aggressively in favorable sites, though typically it is not invasive. Hardy to 10F. Western United States.

    By: Native Sons

    This was a main grass that constituted much of the native California grasslands before they disappeared. Growing to about 18” tall & 12” wide, Nassella pulchra blooms in late Winter through early Spring. It produces airy, waving seedheads that start out purple & then become silvery-tan. Would look great planted with early blooming California annuals like Nemophila menziesii & Eschscholzia caespitosa. The seeds with their stems attached look like a needle & thread, hence the common name. The roots of this grass can grow as deep as 20’, & this grass is thought to be able to live as long as 200 years. Tolerates dry clay & will go dormant in a dry summer garden, but otherwise will stay green all year. Self sows but is not invasive, & needs open soil to germinate.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Nassella pulchra plant

    How to Grow Nassella pulchra

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Special Situation

      • seaside / salt tolerant
      • erosion control
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • rocky

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    Features

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Flower Color

      • purple

    • Texture

      • grassy

    • Wildlife

      • butterflies
      • deer resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

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