Eragrostis spectabilis

Synonym(s)
Common Name
Purple lovegrass
Tumblegrass
Plant Form
Grasses, Sedges & Rushes
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
1.5
Growth Rate
Slow
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain

Photographer: Julia Beach
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Photographer: Julia Beach
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Additional Info

Purple love grass is a small, perennial, well-behaved ornamental grass. When grown en masse, this delicate grass creates a lovely purple cloud-like haze in late summer. In the late fall, the stems of the flowers fall and blow in the wind, like a tumble grass. Early growth resembles crabgrass so mark plants until well established

Flower Color
Brown
Red/burgandy
Pink
Purple/lavender
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Late Summer
Fall
Bloom Month
August
September
October
Fall Color
Brown/Copper
Burgandy/Red
Light Requirements
Full sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Soil Texture
Clay
Loamy
Sandy
Low Maintenance
Yes
Earth Sangha Inventory

Founded in 1997, the Earth Sangha is a nonprofit public charity based in the Washington, DC, region. The Wild Plant Nursery is the most comprehensive source of local-ecotype, native plants in the Washington DC region, and the region’s only facility dedicated exclusively to this type of propagation. “Local-ecotype” plants are propagated from local, wild, naturally-occurring populations and are well-adapted to local conditions and for wildlife species that depend on the local forms, such as pollinators. Inventory is updated on a weekly basis so number may not be accurate.

Pots Available Plugs Available Location Notes
0 84 Row E

Reserved for conservation projects

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Bona Terra Nursery

Small family-run native plant nursery with a focus on the local genetics necessary to restore diversity in the Chesapeake eco-region. Offers free remote design service for small gardens up to 400 square feet. Orders are placed via email and items can be picked up at their NW DC office or delivered for a fee. This plant list is from the beginning of the 2025 season and may be out-of-date

Pots Available Pot Size Notes Add to Wishlist
0 Quart

Local Ecotype plugs coming soon!

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0 2 Gallon

Local Ecotype plugs coming soon!

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