Transparent Moor Grass
Molinia caerulea 'Transparent'
Plant Height: 3 feet
Flower Height: 6 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Description:
A wonderful choice of ornamental grass with dense, arching tufts of deep green foliage; sturdy stems topped with airy panicles sway in the wind; straw colored seed heads in the fall; easy to grow
Ornamental Features
Transparent Moor Grass features airy panicles of burgundy flowers rising above the foliage from early to mid summer. Its grassy leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous harvest gold in the fall.
Landscape Attributes
Transparent Moor Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Transparent Moor Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Transparent Moor Grass will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Transparent Moor Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.