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California Native Plant

Nassella pulchra

Purple Needle Grass

Plant photo of: Nassella pulchra
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Information by: Jerry Sortomme        Photographer: Bert Wilson

 

Description

The Needle Grass is a cool season bunchgrass that grows 1' tall with graceful, shiny purple flower stalks that reach 3' long in the spring. The entire grass turns golden in summer This grass is beautiful in mass plantings, restoration uses or dry slopes. It prefers full sun and can tolerate coastal as well as inland valley areas. It is drought tolerant once it's established and is not fussy about soil. The Needle Grass is California's State Grass and is a beneficial insect plant.

 

Plant Type

Shrub, Grass

Height Range

1-3'

Flower Color

Purple

Flower Season

Spring

Leaf Color

Light Green

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

Water

Very Low

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

Soil Condition

Poor, Dry

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Seascape, Woodland

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

Location Uses

Perennial Border, With Rocks

Special Uses

Filler, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

Attracts Wildlife

Wildlife

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.