Siberian frost grass | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Grass
Family (botanic) Poaceae
Tree or plant type Grass, Perennial
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Purple
Shape or form Round, Upright

Size and Form:

Siberian frost grass is a warm-season, clump-forming grass with a neat, upright to rounded form. It grows up to 4 feet tall

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Japan, China, and Korea.

Leaf description:

The leaves are different from most grasses, having a bamboo-like appearance. The bright green leaves are up to 1 inch wide and 8 inches long and are covered with fine hairs. Late in the season, the foliage will pick up burgundy tints. Winter color is brownish with purple tints.

Flower description:

Flowering occurs in mid to late summer. The tiny, purplish, or brownish flowers occur in erect, airy clusters. The flowers are wind-pollinated.

Fruit description:

The small fruit (caryopsis or grains) form along the erect clusters that held the flowers.

Plant care:

Best growth occurs in full sun to light shade, with a moist, well-drained soil. This grass will grow poorly in hot, dry situations. Too much shade will produce floppy growth. This is a warm season grass, so its most active growth occurs in summer. It will remain standing in winter and can act as winter interest. Since this grass remains attractive through winter, it should not be cut back until early spring, before new growth begins. At that time, it can be cut down to the ground.