Purple Moor Grass, Molinia caerulea; in a 9 cm square pot.
Purple Moor Grass, Molinia caerulea is the best known foodplant of the Scotch Argus butterfly.
Valued as an ornamental grass for the garden, Purple Moor Grass is found throughout Britain and Ireland on moorland and bogs, the side of lakes, any areas that are permanently damp, from slightly basic to highly acidic soils. It is a deciduous, perennial grass, that temporarily dies down in winter but soon regrows from its roots in spring.
It forms large clusters of upright leaves, from which. in the summer. emerge spikes of purple flowers.
Wildlife value
The the main caterpillar foodplant of the Scotch Argus, it is also a foodplant of the Large Heath and Chequered Skipper.
Growing Purple Moor Grass
As well as being an imposing component of the large expanses of damp moorland where it grows, it makes a fine ornamental grass, all the better for being a British native in tune with our ecosystems. Since it has a soft, translucent appearance, despite its large size it can be grown at the front of or intertwined with a border allowing the other plants to be seen behind.
It can be grown from seed, or purchased as potted plants, and once established in the garden or in pots can be propagated by division in spring or autumn.
Your purchase
You are purchasing one or more 9 cm square pots of Purple Moor Grass, that we have grown from seed. Owing to the fine nature of the seed, there is likely to be more than one plant per pot. While growing vigorously in summer, please note that as it is a deciduous perennial, if purchased in winter, the plants will consist mainly of roots from which fresh growth will arise in spring.
Ladyburn Plant Nursery, located at Cupar, Fife, is registered by the Scottish Government - Passport Registration Number GB-S 03473.