Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Purple moor grass 'Skyracer')
1 hour care
per year
per year
2.2m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer'
Other names
Purple moor grass 'Skyracer', Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Sky Racer'
Genus
Molinia Molinia
Variety or Cultivar
'Skyracer' _ 'Skyracer' is a clump-forming, tufted, deciduous perennial grass with flat, arching, linear, mid-green leaves that turn gold in autumn. Narrow, dense panicles of purple flower spikelets bloom in summer.
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer; Golden-yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Purple moor grass 'Skyracer') will reach a height of 2.2m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, preferably acid to neutral soil in full sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer'
Other names
Purple moor grass 'Skyracer', Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Sky Racer'
Genus
Molinia Molinia
Variety or Cultivar
'Skyracer' _ 'Skyracer' is a clump-forming, tufted, deciduous perennial grass with flat, arching, linear, mid-green leaves that turn gold in autumn. Narrow, dense panicles of purple flower spikelets bloom in summer.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer; Golden-yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Purple moor grass 'Skyracer') will reach a height of 2.2m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, preferably acid to neutral soil in full sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login