Purple Three Awn is a bunchgrass that deserves to be planted more often than it currently does. I liken it to the California equivalent of Mexican Feather Grass, which is no longer sold in California because it reseeds so readily and crowds out other native plants that provide more habitat value. Grasses add texture to a garden as well as movement in the wind. Purple Three Awn works well in smaller spaces and will stay evergreen for most of the year, though in Winter months it tends to slow down and turn a rich tan color. It can reseed easily which may be a concern, but used as a border or accent plant, it works quite well; since it needs sun, it won’t spread to areas planted with shrubs since the higher shrubs will shade it out.

Perhaps the only downside is that the awns can be sharp, though I have yet to experience that. Much of the literature warns that the awns get stuck in clothing or animal fur. One way around that is to simply trim off the awns before they dry and spread, which is easy enough to do with a large pair of sheers or even a string trimmer. I will update this page more once I have a full season or two with this plant.

Plant in drifts to maximize wind movement or mix in with other grasses like Blue Grama Grass to create a seasonal meadow and populate with wildflowers. In the Spring, the wildflowers will be going, in the summer, the Blue Grama Grass will be the winner, in the Fall and into Winter, the evergreen (if properly cared for) Purple Three Awn will take center stage.