The clump-forming weeping lovegrass has fine, grassy blades that arch and droop and produces many tall stems of feathery flowers in late summer. This warm-season perennial grass hails from East Africa, so it is tough and tolerant of heat and drought.
Though native to a semi-tropical area, weeping lovegrass is usually fully deciduous but can remain semi-evergreen in fully frost-free climates. Its neat clumps of elegant foliage appear in spring. Airy panicles of lavender-gray flowers bloom in late summer and are followed by tan seeds that tend to self-sow. In autumn, the weeping foliage takes on a yellow or bronze color and dries to warm tan once hit by subfreezing temperatures.
This bold perennial is a lovely accent plant for perennial borders. It looks great planted in large, airy sweeps and pairs well with late-blooming composites. Where not hardy, it can be planted as an annual bedding plant. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Like most ornamental grasses, Weeping Love Grass is used extensively as a temporary cover for erosion control purposes. On surface mine spoil, it provides almost immediate cover on steep outer slopes where soil is rather acidic and of low fertility.
Genus - Eragrostis
Species - Curvula
Common name - Weeping Lovegrass
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 9
Height - 3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Spread - 3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Plant type - Annual or Perennial
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Loam, Sand
Water requirements - Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Care level - Easy
Landscape uses - Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Germination rate - 95%
Bloom season - Late Summer, Early Fall
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Sow on the surface. Tamp the soil. Do not cover with plastic or glass, but be sure the seeds keep moist until germination. 2. Germination - 14-21 days at 20-22C (68-72F) degrees. |