Eragrostis spectabilis, tray of 50 plugs

The Ornamental Grass Eragrostis spectabilis displays flat green blades that send up a cloud of airy, reddish-purple inflorescences in late summer that creates a soft haze in the garden. The foliage shades to reddish tones in fall. These rugged plants are tolerant of poor soil, drought, and air pollution. Superb in a mixed border with Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Asters. This flat contains 50 plant plugs, each 2" wide x 5" deep.

The Eragrostis genus consists of about 350 diverse species of annual and perennial Grasses found worldwide. Known as Lovegrasses, about 25 of these are native to North America, while some have naturalized in the U.S. after being introduced as ornamentals or planted for erosion control. The most common in cultivation is the lovely Eragrostis spectabilis, known as Purple Love Grass. Eragrostis is extremely drought-tolerant and adaptable, thriving in sandy, low-nutrient, well-drained soil to clay loam. Whether used in naturalistic mass plantings or as accents in borders, clouds of fluffy, reddish-purple inflorescences (followed by seed panicles) catch the light beautifully. Other good, ecological landscape plants for areas without irrigation or supplemental watering, such as native Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Heath Asters (Symphyotrichum ericoides), combine well with Lovegrass in a low-care, wildlife-friendly meadow planting.

Landscape Plugs™ are a boon to gardeners seeking an easy, economical way to plant sizable swaths of native perennials. They are also an affordable way to purchase numerous plants that can be readily incorporated into existing large gardens or meadows. Landscape Plugs™ have deep roots (to 5”), which help plants establish quickly and provide erosion control. This perennial, and others in the Landscape Plugs™ series, is likely to reach flowering size in its first year. By itself or mixed with other plants in the series, it is a superb choice for creating habitat for wildlife. Plugs are offered in easy-to-transport flats, each featuring a single variety. The trays are made of 100% recycled plastic that is recyclable (#6).

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.