Grass with purple flowers is a group of ornamental grasses and grass-like plants that produce striking purple blooms or inflorescences. These plants are valued in landscaping for their texture, color contrast, and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. The purple flowers often appear on tall, graceful spikes that rise above the foliage, creating visual interest in gardens and borders.
Many grasses with purple flowers are grown as ornamentals rather than for turf. For example, purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) produces deep reddish-purple flower spikes that arch elegantly over its foliage. Similarly, some varieties of purple muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) create a cloud-like display of pinkish-purple blooms in late summer and fall.
These grasses are usually hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. They often tolerate drought once established and require minimal care, making them popular in modern and naturalistic garden designs. Their movement in the wind adds a dynamic, softening effect to landscapes.
Besides ornamental value, grasses with purple flowers can also be used in cut arrangements or dried floral designs. Their long-lasting blooms and striking color make them versatile for both outdoor landscaping and indoor decoration.
Grass With Purple Flowers
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’)
Purple Fountain Grass is a popular ornamental grass with burgundy-purple foliage and feathery purple flower spikes. The flowers appear in summer and fall, arching gracefully from the plant. It grows in clumps and thrives in full sun, making it perfect for borders, containers, and accent plantings.
Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
Purple Love Grass produces airy, delicate purple flower panicles that sway in the wind, creating a soft, romantic effect. It is drought-tolerant and does well in sandy or well-drained soils. This grass is ideal for naturalized areas, meadows, and low-maintenance gardens.
Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’)
While primarily known for its striking red-tipped foliage, Japanese Blood Grass can produce small purple-tinged flower spikes in late summer. Its colorful leaves and flowers make it a striking accent in mixed borders and rock gardens. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Purple Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Purple Muhly Grass is famous for its airy, cloud-like purple flower plumes that appear in late summer and fall. The flowers rise above slender green blades, creating a soft, misty effect. It is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and excellent for mass plantings or as a landscape focal point.
Fountain Grass ‘Purple Majesty’ (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Purple Majesty’)
This variety of fountain grass features deep purple foliage and matching flower spikes. It grows in clumps, reaches 3–5 feet in height, and produces arching plumes throughout summer. It adds dramatic color to borders, patios, and large containers.
Purple Needle Grass (Stipa purpurea)
Purple Needle Grass is a fine-textured grass with slender leaves and long, purple flower spikes. The flowers give a soft purple haze to meadows and natural landscapes. It is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and attracts birds and pollinators.
Feather Reed Grass ‘Purple Dragon’ (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Purple Dragon’)
This ornamental grass produces tall, narrow purple flower spikes that rise above green foliage. The blooms appear in mid to late summer and persist into fall. Its upright form makes it perfect for borders, privacy screens, or mass plantings in contemporary gardens.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’)
Little Bluestem is a prairie grass with bluish-green foliage that develops purple flower stalks in late summer. The plumes fade to reddish-purple in fall, creating beautiful seasonal interest. It is drought-tolerant and excellent for meadows, wildflower gardens, or naturalistic plantings.
Purpletop Grass (Tridens flavus)
Purpletop Grass produces long, upright purple flower spikes in late summer. It is a native perennial grass, often used for prairie restoration, wildlife habitats, and naturalized landscapes. Its purple flowers add height and movement to garden designs.
Hairawn Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes)
Similar to Purple Muhly Grass, this variety has airy purple flower panicles that create a mist-like effect above green foliage. It blooms in late summer and fall and is excellent for mass plantings, ornamental borders, or wildlife gardens.