Purple needlegrass. Our California state grass, purple needlegrass forms tight bunches to 18” high with flowering stems to 3’, covered in purplish flowers. In summer, both flowers and leaves mature to a golden brown, remaining dormant until the arrival of winter rains. Useful in the wild garden, in meadows or on rocky slopes, it tolerates extremes in exposure and soil, but performs best in full sun in well-drained soil. Reseeds aggressively in favorable sites, though typically it is not invasive. Hardy to 10F. Western United States. Formerly Stipa pulchra.
