Molinia 'Heidebraut' is a compact moor grass prized for its upright green foliage and airy flowering stalks that emerge in late summer with a light purple hue. As fall approaches, both flowers and leaves shift to warm golden tones.
Height & Spread: 18 - 30 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil; tolerates heavier soil and brief drought
Watering Needs: Moderate; consistent moisture preferred
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
This variety is bred from Molinia caerulea, a species native to moorlands of Europe and western Asia. It is widely cultivated for ornamental use.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Seed heads attract finches and small sparrows in fall, while the foliage offers winter cover for insects and birds alike.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to preserve upright form and allow graceful arching of flower stems.
Landscape Placement
- Perfect for borders, containers, or small prairie style groupings where vertical definition is needed without overpowering nearby perennials.
Companion Plants
- Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass) - Forms lower tufts of lime green that echo Molinia’s fine leaf texture.
- Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' - Provides dark foliage contrast and late spring flowers in sun to part shade.
- Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' - Adds more rigid vertical contrast for layered grass compositions.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Offers bold blooms that complement Molinia’s soft flower spikes and fall color.
- Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo' - Brings purple summer flowers and a tidy base for the vertical lines of Molinia.