Moor grass

Karl Foerster tall moor grass is an architectural gem among ornamental grasses, which has gained popularity due to its elegant and airy growth. The original species naturally occurs in wet meadows and light forests across Europe, so in the garden, it prefers moister, humus-rich soils in full sun or partial shade. The plant forms dense, low hemispherical clumps of narrow green leaves, from which strikingly tall flower stalks emerge at the beginning of summer. These can grow up to 180 cm in height, with the Karl Foerster cultivar standing out for its sturdy, upright growth that won't break even in the wind. During autumn, the entire plant turns into beautiful golden-yellow shades that literally glow on gloomy days. Thanks to its height and transparency, it makes a perfect specimen plant or a great addition to the back of perennial borders, adding dynamic movement without shading other plants. The sturdy stalks are also excellent material for florists, whether for fresh bouquets or dried arrangements, and if left in the border over winter, they provide a beautiful winter silhouette, especially when frosted.

Purple moor grass 'Heidebraut' is a highly adaptable grass that in nature grows in wet pastures, fen meadows, and heathlands. Thanks to its origin, it is an undemanding and hardy plant that can handle various types of soils, provided they are sufficiently well-drained and loamy. In the garden, it functions as a great architectural element, because it does not form runners but remains in compact clumps. It finds its use in perennial beds, where it adds lightness and movement to the composition, but it also looks great in larger groups in natural-style plantings. The 'Heidebraut' cultivar is prized primarily for its exceptional autumn effect. It blooms from August to October with brownish-purple inflorescences on upright stems. With the arrival of cooler days, the entire plant changes color to beautiful golden and orange tones, and the stems arch outwards into airy fans. These strong stems are excellent for cutting for autumn bouquets and dry very well, so they can bring you joy in dried arrangements all winter long. Moreover, it is good to leave the clumps uncut in the flower bed over winter, because when covered in hoarfrost, they look magical and this protects the plant from frost.

'Edith Dudszus' represents a more compact form of purple moor grass that fits even into smaller perennial beds. This perennial grass forms dense clumps of narrow green leaves, from which upright stems topped with fine panicles emerge in the second half of summer. The cultivar is prized for its dark purple inflorescences, which create a wonderful contrast with the light green of the leaves. With the arrival of autumn, the whole plant transforms and brightens the garden with shades of yellow and rich orange. It is an ideal plant for beginners because it does not suffer from pests or diseases and perfectly handles our climatic conditions, including severe frosts. It thrives in sunny and partially shaded spots, ideally with well-drained loamy soil that retains moisture. The flower stems are strong and node-less, which is the origin of its Czech name. In floristry, they are very popular for their longevity in a vase, but they will make the greatest show in dried arrangements or left in the flower bed for a winter effect.

Heidezwerg purple moor grass is a highly adaptable grass that naturally grows in wet pastures, fens, and moorlands. Thanks to its origins, it loves slightly acidic and moister soils, but it can also handle a sunny spot provided it has enough moisture. It is planted in gardens primarily for its exceptional autumn display, when the clumps of leaves turn into vibrant golden to orange tones that literally shine on dull days. The Heidezwerg cultivar grows to a compact height and is cultivated for its dark purple to purplish inflorescences on upright stalks. These appear from August to October, bringing an interesting vertical structure to the flower beds. The plant looks beautiful in winter too, when adorned with frost, which is why it should not be cut back until spring. The inflorescences are excellent for cutting for a vase or drying for arrangements, where they last a very long time.