The Ins and Outs of Molinia

Naming issues

Research at Kew Gardens in England established that the dissimilar foliar traits ofMolinia caeruleassp.caeruleaandM. caeruleassp.arundinaceaare ethnical rather than genic , which invalidates their differentiation as subspecies . In the state of nature , the two subspecies turn together ; however , the broad leaves and increased vigor of plant life distinguish asM. caeruleassp.arundinaceais due to unusually moist , fertile soils . Conversely , plants intend asM. caeruleassp.caeruleaare find growing on wry edges of the same bogs and moors . This entropy has not caught up with language , so the names reflect what ’s usually institute in nurseries and garden centers .

Conditions

Molinialikes sunny undefended places with moist , well - enfeeble territory . A preference for acidic to neutral pH does n’t seem to count much since it thrive in our alkaline soils . Consistent moisture is critical in red-hot , wry menses , as it is not drought tolerant — it grows by nature in moor , bogs , fens , and grasslands throughout Europe to westerly Siberia .

Hardiness

Moliniais quite cold-blooded hardy , long subsist , adaptable to most garden conditions , and tolerant of partial spook . It is also ho-hum to establish , necessitate up to three yr to reach unfolding eld .

Flowers

range from a few feet to a towering 8 ft tall , this grass tamp a portion of oomph into its slim flower stem without feel too hefty . Moliniablossoms fairly late for a cool - time of year Mary Jane , typically start in early summertime , and it bloom substantially in areas with nerveless summer night . The flowers get most of their color from the delicate purple anthers dangle from each midget floret ( picture right ) . Tall selections such as ‘ Windspiel ’ and ‘ Skyracer ’ are peculiarly spectacular and kinetic in flush , and the vapourous floral plumes are aglow when backlit by the sunshine .

Maintenance

later fall to early winter cleanup is recommended ; if you ’re a neatnik , it ’s essential . The colorful stems may remain vertical for much of the winter but are as potential to fall flat , dislodge , and loosely look disastrous . The generous height of the stems only compound the mess .

Propagation

Divisions can be take in early leap , but because ofMolinia ’s slowly - grow nature , it is best to waitress until your industrial plant are several years onetime before attempting to divide them . Typically , older plant get a hollow in their center , indicate it ’s time to carve up .

Habit

Despite having a grand architectural front , Moliniais simpleton in form — tufted mounds of basal leaf with slender good to curve stem top with airy clusters of bantam floret . The foresightful , pointed leaf blades may be narrow with a vertical posture or broad with an bowed wont .

Fall color

While parting and flower stems are green in summer , they burn and smoulder in autumnal hues of gold , orange , and red-faced . The only nongreen form is ‘ Variegata ’ , with its creamy yellow stripes .

Staying power

Moliniais unique among ornamental grass because it is deciduous , which means it shed its leaves in fall . However , in my experience , the leaves do n’t abscise as neatly as the term implies ; rather , they gradually precipitate away as winter creeps on . Heavy blow will tumble them and aid in give way off the leaves and flower stem , make a nasty jumble overnight . This is the best literary argument to be made for shearing them early . Having said that , I ’ve observed to the full upright ( and attached ) leaves and flower stem through near intact winters;M. caeruleassp.caeruleatypes stand up to time and heavy snow better than the broad - leave ones . The amber wintertime color is only a shade or two lighter than the bright autumnal show .

Richard Hawke is flora evaluation manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe , Illinois .

This article primitively appear as a sidebar inGet to experience Moliniafrom issue 184 .

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