As you enter the gate of Progressive Plants just off Bacchus Highway, you find yourself on a quarter-mile long entry road that borders the eastern half of our farm. From this road, you can see a portion of our growing fields, where we have shrubs, grasses, and perennials soaking in the sunlight. It’s a stunning drive and we encourage you to take it slow. There are thousands of wonderful plants to admire along the way. Even those of us who see it every day feel the energy of these beautiful plants. By the time we reach our office, we feel refreshed by their stunning colors, textures, and vigor. Almost every week, there's a new plant that grabs our attention. This week it's Flame Grass.
For our photographer, who drives this road and walks among our plants almost everyday, it takes a little extra to catch his eye. Today, the Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens' was so strikingly beautiful that he turned his car around, parked it on the side of the road, and started taking photos of it in the rain! Capturing photos of this remarkable Maiden Grass, better known as Flame Grass, was worth having wet pants and muddy shoes. We think you'll agree.
There are several varieties of Maiden Grass, but only one Flame Grass. This beauty is by far the most reliable of all the Maiden grasses for coppery-red, orange, and gold fall color. These rich, warm tones create a striking contrast against the surrounding greenery of your yard, infusing it with a sense of warmth and energy.
It grows in an upright, divergent habit, so you’ll have instant interest and outstanding texture all year long. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurascens’ is green for most of the year with rich, burgundy undertones in the leaves, but it truly comes alive in the fall, revealing its unmatched color!
Like all Maiden Grasses, Flame Grass adds movement to your landscape with its graceful swaying motion. It dances beautifully in the breeze and catches your attention from across the yard.
Perhaps best of all, this beautiful grass requires almost no maintenance. It tolerates our soil and water conditions, is extremely waterwise, deer resistant, and it will even thrive with water from Utah Lake. It’s hardy to zone 5, so it will handle the winter temperatures on the valley floor and benches. Over time, it will reach 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it an ideal size for most Utah yards.
Why not add Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens' Flame Grass to your Utah landscape? It will give you a tapestry of vibrant colors, graceful movement, and low-maintenance beauty. Whether used as focal points, ornamental borders, or as part of a naturalistic garden design, this resilient grass adds a touch of elegance and drama to any outdoor space.
