Purple Moor Grass Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Edith Dudszus'
ABOUT
The plant named after Edith Dudszus is a striking ornamental grass, known for its elegant and refined appearance. It possesses slender leaves that are narrow and slightly arching. These leaves typically exhibit a dark green color, which can provide a beautiful contrast to flowering plants in a garden setting. As the seasons transition from summer to autumn, the foliage tends to acquire a golden hue, adding a warm, seasonal touch to its surroundings. One of the most attractive features of this grass is its inflorescence – the arrangement of its delicate flowers. These flowers form a purple-brown cloud above the foliage, creating a fine, airy texture that sways gracefully with the wind. The inflorescences, delicate and feathery in appearance, are held aloft on slender, upright stalks that rise above the foliage, lending a touch of drama and movement to the landscape. The overall shape of the grass is neat and tufted, giving rise to a dense clump of foliage that has a tidy, yet naturally flowing appearance. When planted in groups or drifts, it can create a visually impactful display of color and form that adds depth and interest to any garden composition. Throughout the year, the plant also provides value to wildlife. It offers shelter to insects and small animals, and its seeds may be a food source for birds. This particular cultivar stands out for its ability to bring a sense of elegance and structure to the garden without overwhelming it, making it a beloved choice for gardeners looking to accentuate their landscapes with a touch of naturalistic charm and texture.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Poaceae
Synonyms
Purple Moor Grass, Moor Grass
Common names
Molinia caerulea 'Edith Dudszus'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Landscape Aesthetics: Adds visual interest to garden landscapes with its deep purple foliage and slender, arching form.
- Habitat Support: Provides shelter and nesting opportunities for small wildlife, including birds and insects.
- Low Maintenance: Generally requires little care once established, making it suitable for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in drier conditions once established, which is beneficial in regions with water restrictions or low rainfall.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers year-round visual interest with changing foliage colors and textures across the seasons.
- Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or banks.
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies when in bloom, contributing to the health of pollinator populations.
- Soil Improvement: Can help improve soil structure and fertility as organic matter from decaying foliage is incorporated into the soil.
- Design Versatility: Suitable for a variety of garden designs, including naturalistic, prairie-style, and modern landscapes.
- Cultural Significance: Often used in ornamental gardens, it can be a component in culturally significant garden styles such as Japanese or cottage gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Molinia caerulea, also known as Purple Moor Grass, can be used to make paper when its fibers are processed and treated appropriately.
- The dried stalks of Purple Moor Grass can be used as a natural weaving material for small scale crafts such as basketry, adding a rustic aesthetic.
- Pulverized into a powder, Purple Moor Grass can serve as an all-natural dye for textile work, yielding muted earthy tones.
- The dense growth habit of Purple Moor Grass makes it an excellent choice for creating natural screens or dividers in garden landscapes.
- When dried and compressed, the grass can be used as an eco-friendly packaging material that is both biodegradable and protective.
- Purple Moor Grass clumps can be used as a biofilter in constructed wetlands, helping to remove contaminants from the water.
- Its robust root system helps stabilize soil, making it an ideal plant for erosion control on slopes and embankments.
- The long leaves of the grass can serve as a natural thatch for roofing small garden structures like birdhouses or insect hotels.
- Purple Moor Grass can be utilized as part of a living mulch system, providing weed suppression and moisture retention when planted densely.
- Its subtle noise when blown by wind makes it a aspect of sensory gardens, designed to stimulate hearing as well as sight and smell.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Purple Moor Grass is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Purple Moor Grass is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Molinia caerulea, commonly known as Purple Moor Grass, represents resilience due to its ability to thrive in harsh moorland conditions.
- Grace: This grass is known for its slender stems and delicate seed heads, symbolizing grace and elegance in the plant world.
- Transience of Life: As a grass that changes with the seasons, Molinia caerulea illustrates the fleeting nature of life, reminding us of life's cycles and the impermanence of all things.
- Persistence: Purple Moor Grass's capacity to regrow after being cut back or exposed to fires speaks to its symbolic meaning of persistence and the ability to overcome adversity.
- Subtlety: With its fine texture and movements in the breeze, it suggests subtlety in beauty, encouraging an appreciation for the less obvious graces in our environment.
WaterThe Purple Moor Grass (Molina caerulea 'Edith Dudszus') prefers consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water the grass once a week, providing about one inch of water each time, which translates to roughly 0.6 gallons per square yard of soil. During periods of drought or extreme heat, the watering frequency should increase to twice per week. It’s important to avoid waterlogging, so ensure good drainage in the soil to prevent root rot. During the winter, watering can be reduced, as the plant’s water requirements decrease.
LightPurple Moor Grass thrives best in full sunlight to partial shade. Therefore, the ideal spot for Molinia caerulea 'Edith Dudszus' would be an area where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, while still being protected from the intense afternoon sun, if possible. These conditions will allow the plant to achieve its full growth potential and maintain vibrant foliage.
TemperaturePurple Moor Grass is hardy and can tolerate a wide temperature range; however, it grows best in temperatures between 50°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around -20°F and high temperatures well into the 80s°F. Providing proper care during extreme temperatures can help the plant stay healthy and robust.
PruningPruning Purple Moor Grass should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back the foliage to a few inches above the ground to remove dead leaves and promote healthy growth. Pruning annually will help maintain the plant's shape and vigor. The best time for pruning is just before the last frost of the season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilPurple Moor Grass prefers a moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.0 to 7.0. A good mix would involve garden soil, compost, and peat to retain moisture.
RepottingPurple Moor Grass does not generally require frequent repotting and can often be divided every few years instead of being repotted annually.
Humidity & MistingPurple Moor Grass thrives in normal outdoor humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal for indoors; needs full sun, cool roots, ample space.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, moist soil; divide every 2-3 years.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cyclePurple Moor Grass 'Edith Dudszus' (Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Edith Dudszus') begins its life cycle as a seed, which, when sown in fertile, moist soil and exposed to sunlight, germinates in spring. During germination, the seed develops a root system and a shoot that emerges above the soil surface, growing into a small tuft of grass. Through the growing season, the plant increases in size, producing long, narrow leaves and stems, and matures by late summer, when it forms dense flowering stalks bearing small, purplish-brown flowers. After pollination and flower fading, seeds develop and are dispersed by wind, animals, or by mechanical means in autumn; this is also when the foliage often turns a striking golden-yellow color before dying back. In winter, the plant goes through a period of dormancy, with above-ground growth dying back and the plant surviving through its root system. In the following spring, new growth emerges from the surviving roots, and the life cycle begins anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Edith Dudszus', commonly known as the Purple Moor Grass, is by division. This grass is best divided in the spring as the new growth begins to emerge. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump from the ground using a spade, ensuring as much of the root system is preserved as possible. It should then be divided into smaller sections, each with a good amount of roots and several shoots. These sections can then be replanted at the same depth they were previously growing. The divisions should be watered thoroughly immediately after planting to help establish them in their new locations. This method promotes quick establishment and minimizes disruption to the plant's growing season.
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