Aristida purpurea - Purple Three-Awn Grass

Semi-evergreen bunchgrass to 2 ft. Light green leaves with nodding, purple-tinted inflorescences in spring and summer. Leaves turn golden in the fall. Great for erosion control on slopes. Song birds eat the seeds and use the leaves for nesting materials; also a host plant for Skipper butterflies. Full sun. Drought tolerant, looks best with moderate water. Prefers fast draining soils. Hardy to -10º F.