Grasses are an indispensable part of any heath or natural garden, as they ensure an attractive visual appearance in an uncomplicated way. Easy-care moor grasses are ideal for this purpose, as they enchant the viewer with their graceful yet dense growth habit and the delicate blue-violet inflorescences. By the way, the moor grass owes its name to its original use, because the native plant is traditionally used for cleaning tobacco pipes. Moore grass is commercially available in many varieties and impresses with its low-maintenance and undemanding nature - as long as the location and soil are right.

Moor-grass is a dainty, low-maintenance ornamental grass

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. use
  4. Leaves, flowers and flowering time
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. floor
  8. Planting moor grass properly
  9. Water moor grass
  10. Fertilize moor grass properly
  11. Properly cut moor grass
  12. Propagate moor grass
  13. hibernate
  14. species and varieties

    15. origin and distribution

    The two species of moor grass used in the garden, the giant moor grass (Molinia arundinacea, Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea) and the blue moor grass (Molinia caerulea) belong to the small genus of moor grass (bot. Molinia) and within this to the sweet grass family ( bot. Poaceae. Both species are widespread in both Europe and Asia and grow primarily in open, damp locations in a temperate climate. Natural occurrences are found in swamps and moors, in open forests and along river banks. Probably the oldest cultivar of the One of the tallest moor grass is 'Karl Foerster', named after the famous German plant breeder, and is still one of the most popular varieties today.

    appearance and growth

    Moor-grass forms hemispherical, low and dense clumps with narrow leaves. These are green during the growing season, but turn bright golden yellow in the fall. The blue-violet flowers appear in early summer, the stems of which tower high above the leaf clump and often grow in an arching manner: While the giant purple moor grass usually grows up to 50 centimeters high, it reaches heights of growth of up to 250 centimeters during the flowering period. The lesser moor grass is significantly lower with an average of 20 centimeters / 80 to 100 centimeters outside and during the flowering period.

    use

    Whether planted in groups or individually: the moor grass sets attractive accents, especially between shrubs and wild perennials. While you can use the lesser moor grass as a background or companion plant, the tall variety cuts a fine figure, especially as a solitary plant. Both types come into their own in the heather or rock garden, by water (e.g. along a stream or by a garden pond) and in bog beds. Attractive companions are, for example, autumn-flowering perennials such as autumn asters, autumn anemones, silver candles or monkshood.

    Leaves, flowers and flowering time

    The narrow leaves of the moor grass, which grow upright to slightly overhanging, are grass-green in summer and turn a pretty golden yellow in autumn. Between July and September, depending on the variety, the yellowish-brown, bronze-colored or violet inflorescences appear, which sit on heavily branched, graceful panicles. In earlier times, people liked to use them to clean pipes - which also explains the name of the species. After the flowering period, the inflorescences, like the leaves, turn golden yellow and form husks.

    toxicity

    The moor grass is non-toxic, but the stalks are rather straw-like and quite stable - if you are not careful, you can quickly cut yourself.

    Which location is suitable?

    The purple moor grass feels most comfortable in a sunny to light, partially shaded location.

    floor

    The ideal soil has a neutral to acidic pH value, is moist but permeable - even if the moor grass prefers a moist subsoil, like so many plants it is very sensitive to waterlogging. The resistant and robust plant survives occasional periods of drought without any problems - it is not without reason that it can be found in nature, especially in problematic locations. Moore grass feels most comfortable in a sandy-loamy and nutrient-rich substrate.

    Planting moor grass properly

    Spring is the best time to plant moor grass. When planting, be sure to keep the recommended planting distance, as the clumps can become quite extensive:

    • Small moor grass: about 30 centimeters planting distance
    • Tall moor grass: a maximum of five to six plants per square meter, planting distance of 70 centimetres

    In no case should you take plants from natural locations to place them in your garden. It is a protected species. Always buy plants from specialist shops or grow them from seeds - you can collect and use them in nature.

    tub culture

    The purple moor grass in particular is also suitable as a decorative potted plant for balconies and terraces. Choose a planter that is as deep as possible, as the roots tend to grow in depth rather than in width. Commercial flower or standard compost-based soil is suitable as a substrate, which you mix with garden compost, sand and horn shavings (32.93€). Make sure you have good drainage in the pot to avoid waterlogging - that's why a sufficiently large drainage hole in the bottom of the pot is essential.

    Water moor grass

    Although the easy-care moor grass survives occasional dry phases very well, it should not be kept too dry permanently. It is optimal to always keep the root ball slightly moist and to let it dry out between the individual waterings. Excess irrigation water must be removed from the saucer or planter as soon as possible in the case of potted specimens. Regular watering is particularly important in hot weather and prolonged drought to prevent the soil from drying out.

    Fertilize moor grass properly

    Basically, fertilization is hardly necessary. In the spring, you can feed planted moor grass with a shovelful of compost and a handful of horn shavings.(€32.93) Potted specimens are given a low-dose green plant fertilizer every two weeks during the summer months, which you add with the irrigation water. In winter, on the other hand, no fertilizer is used.

    Properly cut moor grass

    In order to promote the healthy growth of moor grass, you should cut it back vigorously in early spring every year. Seed stands and last year's stalks can be pruned close to the ground, the plant will then sprout vigorously again. Incidentally, the cut inflorescences and seeds can be easily dried and used for drying stands.

    Propagate moor grass

    If the moor grass feels well, it usually sows itself at its location or spreads through underground foothills. For controlled propagation, however, it is advisable to spread the seeds or divide plants that are too large - this also has the advantage that the clumps can be rejuvenated. Moor-grass tends to become bare with age.

    divide

    If the moor grass no longer grows as nicely as it did in the past, rejuvenation by dividing it can help. The best time for this measure is spring, so that the resulting partial plants can then grow vigorously. The best way to do this is as follows:

    • Take a sharp and clean spade.
    • Cut off as many sections of the eyrie as you want.
    • Remove dry stalks and seed heads.
    • Cut back the moor grass vigorously.
    • Replant it in a new location.
    • Add mature compost and horn shavings to start.
    • Pour the pieces vigorously.

    Keep the rejuvenated clumps slightly moist over the next few weeks for easier growth and faster root formation.

    sowing

    The collected seeds can be sown at home in a flat seed tray with a nutrient-poor seed substrate. Do not cover them with soil, as moor grass belongs to the light germinators. Instead, stretch a transparent film or something similar over the planting bowl and keep the substrate slightly moist with a spray bottle. A temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius is ideal for germination, and the location of the container should be bright but not directly sunny. From a height of about ten centimeters you can transplant the seedlings, for example in a larger pot or in the bed. It takes about two to three years for the new plants to develop into full-grown clumps.

    hibernate

    Since it is a native species, special measures for wintering are not necessary. The moor grass is hardy.

    tips

    Moore-grass is very robust and mostly resistant to diseases and pests. Only keeping them too wet or too dry can cause problems.

    species and varieties

    Two types of moor grass - the tall moor grass or cane moor grass and the small or blue moor grass - are suitable for cultivation in the garden and in pots. Both types are characterized by a large variety of varieties, which provides variety in the bog bed or heath garden.

    Blue moor grass (bot. Molinia caerulea)

    The native clump-forming species is also known as small or common moor grass. Popular names are also Besenried or Bentgras. There are many pretty cultivars that are wonderful for planting in the home garden - the varieties are particularly suitable as background or border planting. The growth height specified for the growth height corresponds to that during the flowering period. Outside of these, the nests are much lower.

    • 'Permanent Ray': growth height up to 70 centimetres, growth width up to 60 centimetres, bushy, dense growth, golden-yellow autumn colour
    • 'Edith Dudszus': spherical habit, up to 70 centimeters tall, beautiful autumn colours
    • 'Heidebraut': growth height of up to 100 centimetres, beautiful golden yellow autumn colours
    • 'Moorhexe': growth height of up to 60 centimetres, stiffly upright habit, very dark culms
    • 'Variegata': also called moor grass, green and yellow leaves striped lengthwise, growth height up to 60 centimetres, perfect for moor gardens

    Utensil (bot. Molinia arundinacea)

    This species, also known as giant moor grass or tall moor grass, is significantly larger than the related moor grass: some varieties can grow up to 200 centimeters, rarely even up to 250 centimeters. Therefore, the species is particularly suitable as a solitary plant. These cultivars are particularly popular:

    • 'Karl Foerster': old variety with strikingly wide leaves, height of growth up to 200 centimetres, strong golden yellow autumn colour
    • 'Skyracer': upright habit, up to 220 centimeters high, up to 120 centimeters wide, beautiful golden yellow autumn colour
    • 'Transparent': sprawling habit, height of growth up to 200 centimetres, graceful inflorescences, golden-yellow autumn colours
    • 'Windspiel': stiffly upright, strong growth, height of growth up to 250 centimetres, beautiful golden-yellow autumn colours

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Vegetable garden