Eragrostis spectabilis

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.

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.

For more information on Eragrostis, click Growing Guide.

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.