Nassella pulchra
Purple Needle Grass
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.