Eragrostis

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At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial grasses is commonly called Love Grass, and needs full sun to partial shade and little to moderate water to perform well. Take care when planting these grasses in your landscape, as they reseed freely and can be invasive. There are about 250 species in this genus, though only a select few are cultivated for home gardens due to their aggressive nature. They form graceful clumps of foliage and floral plumes seem to float above the leaves. Love Grass is perfect for textural accents, or as bank or groundcovers. 

Eragrostis Species and Varietals

The best growing zones for Eragrostis vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass)
Best in zones 2-24, this species is native to southern Africa and India, and forms a billowing mass of thin, dark green leaves reaching 3 feet tall and wide. Summertime flowers are lavender-grey and add a foot to the plant's height. Foliage gains bronze hues in cool weather. Great for massed plantings. Can tolerate any type of soil, and can be used to control erosion on hillsides.

Eragrostis elliottii (Elliott's Love Grass)
This species is best in zones 8, 9 and 14-24 and is a native plant of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the southeastern United States. It forms clumps of blue-grey leaves 3 feet tall and wide, and turns purple in fall. Flower plumes are airy and tan, and bloom spring through autumn.

Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass)
Native from Maine to Minnesota, south to Florida, Arizona and Mexico, this species can grow in zones 1-24, and forms a compact clump of light green leaves. It reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide, and is topped with whispy clouds of purple plumes in late summertime. Leaves turn red-purple in fall. These grasses combine well with plants that have grey foliage.

Eragrostis trichodes (Sand Love Grass)
Best in zones 1-24, this species is native from Illinois to Coloradoo and Texas, and has bright green foliage. Sand Love Grass reaches 1.5-2 feet tall and turns bronze-red in fall. Flowers are bronze to purple and appear on stout stems about 4 feet tall in late summer through winter.

Caring for eragrostis

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 303, Eragrostis (Love Grass)
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