Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass)

Commonly called purple love grass, Eragrostis spectabilis is a warm season perennial grass. Native to North America and commonly found in sand fields, roadsides, and in woodland areas; lovegrass spreads slowly by rhizomes and self-seeding, meaning that over time, it will grow to fill empty areas. Showy, and low growing, pruple lovegrass still makes a stunning statement in the late season with blooms turning a soft, reddish-purple color, creating an airy cloud that covers the grassy foliage and raises the plant's overall height to 24" when in full bloom.

Best used in borders and mixed gardens as a low growing plant, lovegrass is a great alternative for areas where it is difficult to grow turf, especially in sandy soils with moderate foot traffic. Eragrostis spectabilis is also commonly used in low-maintenance, sustainable landscapes, container plantings, and even pollinator gardens since it is a valuable host plant for the Zabulon Skipper butterfly (Poanes zabulon).