Eragrostis trichodes

Eragrostis trichodes is a grass that truly enchants borders in late summer. Its very fine vegetation shows a slightly collapsed fountain habit under the weight of its incredible amethyst pink flowering. Dark green in spring and summer, the clump it forms almost disappears under a vaporous and shiny cloud before taking on a more golden bronze hue in autumn. It is a hardy and easily cultivated plant that remains decorative for a long time in winter and is particularly well-suited to dry and poor soils. This tall grass is suitable for all styles of gardens, whether they are romantic, natural or contemporary.  Just place it in the sun, in well-drained soil, and admire the small miracle of its flowers every summer.

Eragrostis trichodes is a perennial plant of the Poaceae family, native to North America. This emblematic plant of the Great Plains is most commonly found growing on sandy, rocky or roadside soils. The plant initially forms an upright clump, reaching a height and width of 90 cm (35in) to 1 m (3ft). Then it gently spreads out until it collapses on the ground during flowering. Its leaves are dark green, deciduous. They fade into beautiful golden tones but persist for a long time in winter, making the plant decorative for a good part of the year. From the centre of the clump, an abundance of open, branched inflorescences emerge in July-August, bearing countless tiny spikelets in a lovely pink-purple shade. These flowers almost double the volume of the collapsed plant, easily reaching a height of 90 cm (35in) again. The mature spikes, in October, take on a more brownish hue, the colour of the seeds that will be dispersed by the wind throughout the garden.

Eragrostis trichodes is a truly undemanding grass with its incredible diffuse spikes and autumn-coloured foliage.  It is both highly decorative and full of dynamism in late summer, requiring almost no maintenance. It can be used to adorn the gaps between stones in a large rock garden, as well as in bordering paths or raised beds, or even to stabilize the soil on a slope or embankment. Take advantage of its late flowering to display it near a pathway, paired with the blooms of tall sedums (Sedum Matrona, Sedum Jose Obergine), the stars of asters (Aster laevis Calliope, Aster turbinellus, Aster cordifolius), or the bright magenta flowers of shrubby salvias. It pairs well with Caryopteris and Stipa arundinacea, autumn daisies, Japanese anemones, and perennial chrysanthemums. Its inflorescences are very beautiful in dried or fresh bouquets.