Grass - Purpletop

Purpletop

Botanical Name

:

Tridens flavus

Plant Type

:

Ornamental grass, perennial warm-season grass

Seasons

:

Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer to fall

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours of sunlight)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65-75°F (18-24°C). Best planted in late spring or early summer

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil and can tolerate poor soils

Germination

:

14-21 days, optimal at 70°F (21°C)

P.H. Level

:

5.5-7.5 (acidic to neutral)

Water/Irrigation

:

Drought-tolerant once established; occasional deep watering in dry periods

Fertilization

:

Not needed. Apply a light organic fertilizer in early spring if the soil is poor

Habit

:

Upright, clumping with arching stems

Propagation

:

Seed is the most common method. Division is possible, but not typically practiced

Final Plant Height

:

3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Spread

:

2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

Spacing

:

18-24 inches apart for best growth

Flowers

:

Reddish-purple, airy seed heads appearing in late summer, turning golden brown in fall

Attracts

:

Birds (seeds in fall), pollinators

Uses

:

Naturalistic landscapes, erosion control, meadows, borders

Companions

:

Black-eyed Susans, Coneflowers, Switchgrass, Little Bluestem

Pruning

:

Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Generally pest-free but may attract occasional aphids

Diseases

:

Resistant to most diseases but can develop rust in overly humid conditions

Fun Fact

:

The name “Purpletop” comes from its stunning purplish seed heads that shimmer in the sunlight, making it a standout feature in prairies and meadows

Botanical Name

:

Tridens flavus

Plant Type

:

Ornamental grass, perennial warm-season grass

Seasons

:

Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer to fall

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours of sunlight)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65-75°F (18-24°C). Best planted in late spring or early summer

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil and can tolerate poor soils

Germination

:

14-21 days, optimal at 70°F (21°C)

P.H. Level

:

5.5-7.5 (acidic to neutral)

Water/Irrigation

:

Drought-tolerant once established; occasional deep watering in dry periods

Fertilization

:

Not needed. Apply a light organic fertilizer in early spring if the soil is poor

Habit

:

Upright, clumping with arching stems

Propagation

:

Seed is the most common method. Division is possible, but not typically practiced

Final Plant Height

:

3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Spread

:

2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

Spacing

:

18-24 inches apart for best growth

Flowers

:

Reddish-purple, airy seed heads appearing in late summer, turning golden brown in fall

Attracts

:

Birds (seeds in fall), pollinators

Uses

:

Naturalistic landscapes, erosion control, meadows, borders

Companions

:

Black-eyed Susans, Coneflowers, Switchgrass, Little Bluestem

Pruning

:

Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Generally pest-free but may attract occasional aphids

Diseases

:

Resistant to most diseases but can develop rust in overly humid conditions

Fun Fact

:

The name “Purpletop” comes from its stunning purplish seed heads that shimmer in the sunlight, making it a standout feature in prairies and meadows

Written by Salome Wapukha – https://www.linkedin.com/in/salome-wapukha-556700193/