Molinia (Moor Grass)
at Digging Dog

Including Molinia caerulea and Molinia litoralis

Molinia

Moor Grass

Innovative landscape architect Wolfgang Oehme, who has included more than a million ornamental grasses in his designs since 1975, considers Molinias to be some of the very best performers of them all. Certainly the most kinetically exciting grass, Molinia’s sturdy stems hold the delicate, straw-colored panicles all season above dense, arching tufts of deep green foliage. To heighten the drama, give them plenty of room and a dark background.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Bergfreund’    

Invite this “friend of the mountain” into your garden bed and it will quickly become your friend as well. Dynamic yet not too imposing, a gauzy array of gently pendulous, rich-colored reddish purple panicles mingle on dark green upright stems. Handsome foliage forms a low green stage that radiates yellow hues in autumn. Studded with ricelike beads transmuting warm chestnut hues when mature, the airy plumes should be headlined right up front where they become a mysterious veil that you can peer through.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Bergfreund’ (G-0489)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Dauerstrahl’      

The cultivar name translates to “enduring ray” for the long lasting beauty this fine textured grass bestows upon the garden. Prancing above robust low growing tufts of emerald green foliage, stiff mostly upright divergent stems showcase elegant panicles with slim dark purple spikelets.

‘Dauerstrahl’ is second-to-none as a container specimen or as a mixed border component, adding late season allure when bright golden yellow hues transform its blades and flowering stalks.

Blooms June – November.

Size: 3'–4' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Dauerstrahl’ (G-0531)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Karl Foerster’    

See-through, delicate plumes on upright and arching stems energetically leap skybound from a green, 2-½ ft. tall foliar pedestal. Bearing the name of the legendary German nurseryman Karl Foerster, this Molinia’s gossamerlike inflorescences first emerge suffused in purply raisin shades, and by fall gilded highlights set the lofty blooms aglow, further heightening the butter yellow hues of the stalks and leaves below.

Blooms June – November.

Size: 6'–7' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.

AVAILABLE SUMMER 2012

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Karl Foerster’ (G-0486)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Moorflamme’    

Moor Grass

An exquisite German selection of Moor Grass, this Molinia’s hazy, flaxen-hued panicles gracefully sway on 2 ft. slender stems above a pleasing, compact clump of arching and narrow green blades, turning an intense orange-red in autumn. Clearly ‘Moorflamme’ proclaims its colorful intensity!

Blooms June–October.

Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Moorflamme’ (G-0090)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’    

Donning a sculptural statesmanlike presence and a dancer’s grace, especially when set in motion by summer breezes, this distinctive Kurt Bluemel selection grows narrowly upright. The pendulous grayish green ribbons comprise a low, 2 ft. high mounding clump that launches stiff stems with plum-colored seed heads and feathery, see-through panicles. Still showy in November, both foliage and lofty inflorescences adopt cozy sun-kissed golden yellow and amber fall colors.

Blooms June to mid-November.

Size: 7'–8' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.

AVAILABLE SPRING 2012

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’ (G-0031)
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Molinia litoralis ‘Windspiel’    

The cultivar name is German for wind’s game and this grass plays against the sky. Stretching far above mounding 15 in. high, verdant ribbonlike blades, supple stems entertain an aura of tiny copper-colored inflorescences. We position ‘Windspiel’ in the frontlines and plant bold perennials such as Helianthus ‘Gold Lace’ or Vernonia crinita behind to enjoy the subtle other worldliness that’s created by looking through its blooms.

Blooms June–December.

Size: 6'–7' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Molinia litoralis ‘Windspiel’ (G-0019)
Each $8.50
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