Bluejoint grass
Cool-season perennial grass forming loose to dense tufts, reaching 60-150 cm tall. Features flat, lax leaves and open, purplish panicles that turn golden in fall. Prefers moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Spreads by rhizomes, forming colonies in favorable conditions. Important for wetland habitats, providing cover and nesting material for wildlife. Effective for erosion control along shorelines. Suitable for rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Purple (fading to tan)
Bloom Time: Mid to Late-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Moist to Wet
Phenology: New growth emerges May. Flowering stems appear June. Blooms late June-July. Seeds mature August-September. Foliage turns tan, remaining upright through winter providing persistent structure.
Wildlife Value: Seeds eaten by songbirds and waterfowl; important cover for wetland birds and small mammals; nesting material for birds; seasonal food for grazing mammals
Habit Over Time: Spreads through rhizomes to form loose colonies of vertical stems. While it can form extensive stands in optimal conditions, its open growth pattern allows other strong-growing plants to persist between stems. The architectural quality of the stems provides good winter interest.
Height: Tall (3-5 feet)