Nassella pulchra
“Purple Needlegrass”

This was a main grass that constituted much of the native California grasslands before they disappeared. Growing to about 18” tall & 12” wide, Nassella pulchra blooms in late Winter through early Spring. It produces airy, waving seedheads that start out purple & then become silvery-tan. Would look great planted with early blooming California annuals like Nemophila menziesii & Eschscholzia caespitosa. The seeds with their stems attached look like a needle & thread, hence the common name. The roots of this grass can grow as deep as 20’, & this grass is thought to be able to live as long as 200 years. Tolerates dry clay & will go dormant in a dry summer garden, but otherwise will stay green all year. Self sows but is not invasive, & needs open soil to germinate.

Kelly Kilpatrick
Propagator