Flame Grass Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
ABOUT
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', commonly known as Flame Grass, showcases a dynamic array of colors throughout its growing season. This ornamental grass boasts slender, upright foliage that transitions through various hues as the seasons change. Initially, in spring, the leaves emerge with a fresh, green coloration, offering a vibrant and lively appearance. As the summer progresses, the green foliage begins to exhibit hints of red and purple, providing a subtle yet striking visual interest in the garden. When autumn arrives, Flame Grass truly lives up to its name. The leaves further intensify in color, shifting to a fiery blend of reds, oranges, and burgundy, reminiscent of a burning flame. These warm autumnal colors are particularly eye-catching and can add a bold contrast to the more traditional fall color palette found in many gardens. Aside from its striking foliage, Flame Grass produces airy, feather-like flower plumes in late summer to early fall. These plumes emerge with a reddish tint and gradually mature to a silky silver color that can catch the light and add a soft, ethereal quality to the plant's overall appearance. The plumes are held high above the foliage and persist into the winter months, providing visual interest even as the garden settles into dormancy. The plant has an overall arching form, creating graceful silhouettes that can sway gently in the breeze. Its texture is fine yet dense, allowing it to serve as both a focal point and a backdrop for other plants within a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Poaceae
Synonyms
Flame Grass, Purple Miscanthus, Red Miscanthus
Common names
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'.
ToxicityTo humans
Flame Grass (Miscanthus 'Purpurascens') is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. There is a lack of evidence suggesting significant poisonous properties that could lead to symptoms of poisoning in humans upon ingesting this plant. Therefore, adverse effects from ingestion are not normally anticipated. However, as with many ornamental plants, it is still prudent to avoid consuming any part of the plant.
To pets
Flame Grass is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to pets, including dogs and cats. There have been no significant reports of toxicity or poisoning symptoms resulting from pets ingesting this particular variety of Miscanthus. Consequently, ingestion of Flame Grass should not cause any severe health consequences in pets under typical circumstances. Nonetheless, it’s always best to prevent pets from eating ornamental plants as a general safety measure.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Grass
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Interest: Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', commonly known as Flame Grass, is highly appreciated for its striking fall coloration, where its leaves turn vibrant shades of red and orange, resembling flames.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Flame Grass is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens with limited water availability.
- Low Maintenance: This grass requires minimal care beyond initial planting and occasional trimming back, making it a convenient choice for busy gardeners.
- Cold Hardy: Flame Grass is tolerant of cold temperatures, which allows it to thrive in a variety of climates, including those with harsh winters.
- Erosion Control: The robust root system of Flame Grass helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
- Wildlife Attraction: The plant provides habitat and food for birds and other wildlife, with its seeds being particularly appealing to many bird species in the winter.
- Privacy and Screening: With its tall and dense growth habit, Flame Grass can be used as a natural screen or hedge to provide privacy in the garden or landscape.
- Seasonal Interest: Offering visual interest through multiple seasons, Flame Grass is an excellent year-round addition to gardens with its changing foliage and feathery seed heads.
- Versatile Landscaping: Flame Grass can be featured as a specimen plant, used in mass plantings, or incorporated into mixed perennial borders for textural contrast.
- Fast Growth: This grass grows quickly, allowing gardeners and landscapers to establish a visual impact in a relatively short period of time.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The foliage of Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', also known as Flame Grass, can be used to produce a natural dye for coloring textiles and fibers.
- Handicraft materials: The tall, strong stems of the plant can be harvested and used in basket weaving or creating other decorative items.
- Erosion control: Root systems of Flame Grass help stabilize soil, making it an effective plant for controlling erosion on slopes and banks.
- Privacy screens: When planted in rows or clumps, Flame Grass can provide a dense visual screen or windbreak in landscapes due to its height and volume.
- Sound barrier: The dense growth habit of Flame Grass can help to reduce noise pollution when planted along highways or around properties.
- Biofuel production: Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' can be converted into biomass for producing bioenergy, although it's not as commonly used for this purpose as other Miscanthus species.
- Ornamental fish ponds: Dried stems of Flame Grass provide a natural and aesthetically pleasing material for constructing shelters and hiding places in ornamental fish ponds.
- Water filtration: When planted around water features or ponds, the root systems of Flame Grass help filter runoff and improve water quality.
- Winter interest: The dried foliage and stems of Flame Grass can be left standing in gardens to provide visual interest and texture during the winter months.
- Photography and art: Its striking appearance, particularly when backlit by the sun, makes Flame Grass a popular subject for photography and inspiration for artists.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Flame Grass is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Flame Grass is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Adaptability – Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', commonly known as Flame Grass, often symbolizes adaptability because it thrives in a wide range of climates and soil types.
- Resilience – Flame Grass represents resilience owing to its ability to bounce back from environmental stress and maintain its beauty in different conditions.
- Change and Transformation – The color transitions of its foliage from green to vivid orange or red hues in the fall represent change and transformation, often likened to the changing seasons of life.
- Growth – Flame Grass is a symbol of growth as it can grow tall and continuously expands, reflecting personal or professional development.
WaterFlame Grass should be watered deeply once a week, providing about one to two inches of water each time. Adjust the frequency to account for rainfall, and during the first growing season, ensure consistent moisture to help establish a good root system. Once established, Flame Grass is quite drought tolerant and may only need supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods. It's better to water this grass less frequently but thoroughly, than to give it frequent, light waterings, as this encourages deeper root growth and drought resistance.
LightFlame Grass thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six hours of direct sun per day to develop its best foliage and plume coloration. It can tolerate some light shade, but too much shade can lead to weak growth and sparse blooming. Planting Flame Grass in a spot that receives ample morning and afternoon sunlight is ideal for its vigorous growth and vibrant color display.
TemperatureFlame Grass is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from as cold as -20°F to the summer heat where temperatures can soar above 90°F. The ideal growing temperature range for Flame Grass is between 60°F and 75°F. Extreme winter cold may cause dieback, but the plant will typically recover in the spring.
PruningPrune Flame Grass in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cutting the plant back to about 4 to 6 inches from the ground will help encourage healthy new growth and maintain an attractive shape. Pruning is also necessary to remove old foliage and make room for new shoots. Annually pruning Flame Grass promotes more vigorous growth and better air circulation within the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFlame Grass, commonly known as Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', prefers well-drained loamy soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. The best soil mix for Flame Grass is one part garden soil, one part compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
RepottingFlame Grass is typically not repotted as it is a perennial grass planted outdoors; however, if grown in containers, it should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate its spreading growth.
Humidity & MistingFlame Grass is tolerant of a range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions, making it versatile for different outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Flame Grass indoors with bright light and ample space.
Outdoor
Plant Flame Grass in sun, well-drained soil, divide every few years.
Hardiness zone
Flame Grass is suitable for USDA zones 4-9.
Life cycleMiscanthus 'Purpurascens', commonly known as Flame Grass, begins its life cycle as a seed which, once germinated, establishes a small seedling with narrow, green leaves. As the seedling matures and roots become established, Flame Grass enters into a rapid vegetative growth phase during spring and summer, forming dense clumps of arching foliage. In mid to late summer, the plant produces tall, feathery flower panicles that start pink or copper-colored and transition to a silvery white as they mature. After flowering, the grass transitions into senescence in the fall where its leaves turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple, giving it the name Flame Grass. Throughout winter, the plant remains dormant, with its dried foliage providing architectural interest and habitat for wildlife, until new growth emerges again in the spring. It is a perennial grass, therefore, it repeats this life cycle each year, gradually expanding in size and spread through rhizomes.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter-Early Spring
Propogation: Flame Grass, commonly known as Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', is best propagated by division, which is generally done in the spring. This involves digging up an established clump of the grass and gently separating it into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a healthy portion of roots and a few shoots. These individual divisions can then be replanted into prepared soil, spaced about 3 to 4 feet apart (approximately 0.9 to 1.2 meters) to allow ample room for growth. It's important to maintain consistent moisture after replanting, without overwatering, to help the new divisions establish. This method harnesses the plant's natural tendency to spread and is both effective and efficient for expanding your garden or sharing with others.
