Molinia
( muh - LEEN - ee - ah )
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At-A-Glance InformationKnown commonly as Moor Grass, this genus includes species which need full sun to partial shade and regular to ample water to perform well in the garden. These perennial grasses are native to damp moorlands, peat bogs, and heathlands in Eurasia and northern Africa. They are slow growing but long-lived and form neat, dense clumps, topped with airy flowers in summertime. Use Molinia grasses in mixed borders, in natural or meadow plantings, or in rain gardens or bioswales. They can also do well next to water features, and provide winter interest to landscapes with their seed heads.
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Molinia Species and Varietals
Molinia is a genus in the plant family Poaceae, and includes just two species. These grasses are related to those in Poa, Festuca, Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass), and Phragmites (Reeds). The best growing zones for these grasses are USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor Grass, Moor Grass)
This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, where it grows naturally in bogs, wetlands, and moors. It is considered invasive in western Europe and North America. Cultivars are listed and described below:
This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, where it grows naturally in bogs, wetlands, and moors. It is considered invasive in western Europe and North America. Cultivars are listed and described below:
'Heidebraut' ('Heather Bride')
Flower stems reach 5 feet tall and leaves turn yellow in fall. |
'Karl Foerster'
With 2.5 foot long leaves and flower stalks up to 7 feet tall. |
'Moorflamme'
Airy flower heads are held above foliage, which has wonderful fall color. |
'Skyracer'
Foliage to 3 foot tall and yellow flower spikes to 7 foot tall. |
'Variegata'
Leaves edged in creamy white and yellowish flower stems provide a fountainlike effect. |
'Transparent'
Translucent section between highest leaf and start of flower spike; tiny airy blossoms and bright orange fall color. |
'Windspiel' ('Windplay')
With wiry, vertical stems that reach 7-8 feet tall. |
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Molinia japonica (Japanese Moor Grass, Japanese Molinia) This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 and reaches up to 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide at maturity. The species is native to Japan, South Korea, southeastern China, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. Plants produce airy panicles of flowers in summer and form tufts over time. |
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Caring for Molinia
Plant Molinia, or Moor Grass, in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to dappled shade; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun, primarily in the morning hours. In warm, inland climates or drought conditions, they prefer more shade. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 3.5 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In fall, leaves will turn bright colors and fall from the plant. Naked stems can be trimmed back in late winter to early springtime in preparation for a new flush of growth. Molinia will need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below. It can survive in the garden for decades before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Molinia in Containers
Moor Grasses are wonderful in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These plants, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Molinia grasses will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide them, see the Propagation section below.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In fall, leaves will turn bright colors and fall from the plant. Naked stems can be trimmed back in late winter to early springtime in preparation for a new flush of growth. Molinia will need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below. It can survive in the garden for decades before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Molinia in Containers
Moor Grasses are wonderful in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These plants, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Molinia grasses will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide them, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
Molinia, or Moor Grass, is best propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate Moor Grass, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Molinia by Seed
Propagating Molinia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Molinia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, and a spray bottle. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. A good potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds in mid to late fall. The panicles on plants are pretty easy to spot, and are typically held amongst the foliage on thin stems. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Get your container prepared. Water the seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place the seeds about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with the spray bottle. Place the tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Molinia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Separate the removed patch of grass into sections using a sharp, clean knife or trowel. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a few shoots. Any dried out areas with dead roots can be tossed in the compost.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with well-draining soil and compost and rake it in. Water thoroughly, and then place divisions on top.
- Keep soil consistently moist as the newly-planted divisions establish strong root systems in their new home. Provide regular waterings, especially during dry spells.
Problems and Pests
Certain Molinia species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Molinia grasses can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Slugs & Snails
- Root Rot
- Fungal Leaf Spot
Gallery
Moor Grasses have delicate foliage and flower plumes.
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Moor Grass provides movement and architectural interest to mixed beds and borders.
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Molinia grasses provide winter interest through their stiff brown to orange stems.
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Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 444 - 445, Molinia caerulea
