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Variegated Moor Grass

Variegated Moor Grass

Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'

Item #6170 USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9

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Plant Description

Highly ornamental clumps of green and creamy white striped blades, perfect for a continuous display as edging or a groundcover. Dainty spikes of gold flowers from late summer to fall. Grows in full sun in cool climates; best with some shade in hot, dry locations.

  • Overview
    Light Needs:
    Partial to full sun
    Watering Needs:
    Water regularly to keep soil surface moist, but not soggy.
    Average Landscape Size:
    Moderate growing; reaches 12 to 18 in. tall and wide.
    Key Feature:
    Showy Fall Plumes
    Blooms:
    Midsummer to fall, persisting into winter.
    Landscape Uses:
    Container, Cutting Garden, Edging, Ground Cover, Mass Planting, Urban Garden, Wildlife Garden
  • Detail
    Botanical Pronunciation:mo-LIN-i-a se-RU-le-a
    Plant type:Perennial, Ornamental Grass
    Deciduous/evergreen:Herbaceous
    Growth habit:Mounding
    Growth rate:Moderate
    Average landscape size:Moderate growing; reaches 12 to 18 in. tall and wide.
    Special features:Bird Friendly, Easy Care, Fall Color
    Foliage color:Variegated
    Blooms:Midsummer to fall, persisting into winter.
    Flower color:Purple
    Garden styleAsian/Zen, Contemporary, Rustic
    Design IdeasWith its preference for acid soils, this Grass is ideal for the Pacific Northwest and Deep South. A great accent for the front of the border, or gang it around the edges of planters for a soft transition. Relaxed and sprawling, this Grass creates soft patches in wild gardens. Also attractive in sunny spots of shade gardens under conifers, where soil is acidic enough. Also does well on banks and borders. Short stature makes it good for city conditions.
    Companion PlantsCamellia (Camellia); Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Daylily (Hemerocallis); Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla); Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
  • Care
    Care Information
    Provide enriched, moist, neutral to acidic soil. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish root system; once established, maintain evenly moist soil. Provide some shade and ample water in hot, arid locations. Remove old, faded foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
    Light Needs:
    <strong>Partial Sun / Partial Shade</strong>: These two terms are often used interchangeably to mean 3-6 (or 4-6) hours of sunlight each day. However, there is a difference. <strong>Partial shade</strong> typically means the plants will appreciate a more gentle exposure such as the weaker morning or early afternoon sun, with the emphasis on providing the minimum needed shade and sheltering from intense late afternoon sun. <strong>Partial sun</strong> typically means the plants <u>need</u> some direct sun, so the emphasis is on meeting the required minimum hours of sunlight, with filtered sunlight or shade the balance of the day. Both are best with shelter from the harshest late afternoon sun. This shade could be provided by a structure, a wall, larger plants or tree(s).
    Partial to full sun
    Watering Needs:
    Water needs: High
    Water regularly to keep soil surface moist, but not soggy.
  • History & Lore
    History:
    The genus for moor grass was named for Juan Molina (1740-1829), an authority on the natural history of Chile. The species are found in wet moorlands and heaths of the Old World from Europe to Japan. This is the only ornamental species.
    Lore:
    Moor grass was used for thatching and straw for livestock in early agricultural communities of northern Europe.