Purpletop Grass
Tridens flavus
Grass, Grass/Sedge Coming Soon
Purpletop Grass is a Virginia native local-ecotype grass/sedge that typically reaches 3-7 ft and blooms in late summer and fall with purple panicles flowers. It offers valuable nectar and pollen, food or habitat for birds, and important larval-host relationships.
About This Plant
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil Moisture
- Dry, Medium
- Height
- 3-7 ft
- Spread
- 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time
- Fall, Late Summer
- Bloom Color
- Purple panicles
- Garden Goals
- Deer Resistant, Feed Birds, Help Native Bees, Host Caterpillars, Support Pollinators
- Garden Uses
- Meadow; erosion control; habitat garden; mass planting
- Wildlife Value
- Common Wood-Nymph; Zabulon, Crossline, Broad-winged and other skippers
Purpletop Grass grows best in full sun or part shade with dry or medium soil. At maturity, it is typically 3-7 ft tall and 2-3 ft wide. Its flowers, foliage, seeds, or fruit help support butterflies, native bees, and birds. Notable wildlife value includes: Common Wood-Nymph; Zabulon, Crossline, Broad-winged and other skippers. It is well suited to Meadow, erosion control, habitat garden, mass planting.
Good to know: Warm-season bunchgrass with deep fibrous roots.