Purple Needlegrass

The common perennial bunchgrass can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. It is a key species in native grassland restoration projects due to its deep roots that help stabilize soil. Purple Needlegrass requires full sun and grows in a variety of habitats, including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodlands. Forming graceful bunches 1–3 feet tall, it produces slender purple-tinged flowering stalks in spring. Highly drought-tolerant and long-lived, it survives hot dry summers by going dormant and regreens with fall rains. It adapts to many soils—including heavy clays and serpentine—and its extensive roots help prevent erosion. In native prairies, it provides forage in winter/spring and critical wildlife habitat. A cornerstone of California restoration projects, it’s ideal for revegetating hillsides and creating authentic low-water landscapes.