2026 Availability- Limited availability in May, more coming in late May to early June
Purple Threeawn (Aristida purpurea) is an airy and graceful native bunchgrass that is perfect for dry landscaping. Fine, narrow leaves form small clumps that stay tidy through the season, while showy seedheads rise above the foliage in summer, each tipped with three slender awns that catch the light and create a soft purple haze across the planting. Purple Threeawn is perfect for adding texture and motion to waterwise landscapes and pairs beautifully with wildflowers and other native grasses. Use Purple Threeawn in non-irrigated garden beds and borders, rock gardens, new perennial or prairie style plantings, naturalistic designs, or stabilize slopes. The awns of this grass can be sharp, so it is best to plant them away from paths and walkways. Purple Threeawn thrives in extremely difficult sites and can easily become problematic in manicured garden areas, especially if irrigated and given fertilizer. For this reason, we recommend this grass be planted in larger, non-irrigated beds or containers. 
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin and Robert Perry