Skip to main content
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' (Variegated Purple Moor Grass)
1 / 5
© Salicyna, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Grasses

Molinia caerulea ssp. 'Variegata'

Variegated Purple Moor Grass

Poaceae
Europe and W Asia (acidic bogs, heathlands, moors; variegated subsp. caerulea selection)

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeGrass
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 feet (45-75 cm)
Width1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantContainer Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' is a compact, deciduous, clump-forming ornamental grass reaching 1.5-2.5 feet (45-75 cm) tall (including flower stems) with a basal foliage mound of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and a spread of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm). This cultivar belongs to the M. caerulea subsp. caerulea group and is the only variegated Molinia in common cultivation. The narrow, arching leaves are 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) wide with cream to pale yellow longitudinal striping on a green background, creating a light, bright appearance. Slender, purplish flower panicles emerge in July-August on wiry stems above the variegated foliage. The foliage turns golden-yellow with residual cream striping in autumn. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 4. Self-cleaning. The smallest and most compact of commonly grown Molinia cultivars.

Native Range

Molinia caerulea is native to Europe and western Asia, in acidic bogs, heathlands, and moors. 'Variegata' is a variegated selection of subsp. caerulea.

Suggested Uses

Planted as an edging, accent, or in containers (minimum 3-gallon) at 1-2 foot (30-60 cm) spacing. The compact variegated mound (8-12 inches foliage) suits rock gardens, border fronts, and container plantings. The only variegated Molinia. Self-cleaning. Slow growing. Requires acidic soil. Not suitable for alkaline soils, dry sites, or heavy shade.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Heidebraut' and 'Moorflamme' by the cream-striped variegated foliage (versus plain green). Distinguished from all other Molinia cultivars by the variegation—the only variegated Molinia in common cultivation. Distinguished from variegated Miscanthus by the self-cleaning habit, the much smaller size (1.5-2.5 feet versus 4-8 feet), and the low mound form. The compact mound of cream-striped arching leaves with self-cleaning habit is diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green
cream

Fall Foliage Colors

gold
yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~7 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Summer
Slender, purplish flower panicles on wiry stems emerging July-August above the variegated foliage. Panicles age to golden-tan. Bloom duration is 6-8 weeks. Self-cleaning in late autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purplish aging to golden-tan; slender panicles on wiry stems; Jul-Aug

Foliage Description

Green with cream to pale yellow longitudinal stripes; narrow 0.1-0.2 inch; arching; golden-yellow autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsilt
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in acidic to neutral, moist but well-drained soil (pH 4.5-6.5). Hardy to zone 4. Requires acidic soil. Partial shade maintains the brightest variegation in hot climates. Slow growth rate. Self-cleaning. Does not self-seed aggressively.

Pruning

Self-cleaning: foliage and flower stems detach at the base in late autumn. Remove any remaining debris in late winter. No additional pruning needed.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic