Eragrostis

Eragrostis curvula

(Weeping love grass)

Southern Africa

Up to 1m

Evergreen in mild climates

Clumps of dark green, fine foliage with arching lavender-gray flower panicles

This was widely planted for grassland stabilization and for erosion control on roadside embankments, but is ornamental enough to be useful as an accent plant in the border, in a pot or as ground cover

Eragrostis curvula 'Totnes Burgundy'

Wine red leaves when mature

Grey flower plumes

Selected by Sarah & Julian Sutton at their nursery, Desirable Plants, near Totnes, Devon

Eragrostis spectablilis

(Purple Love Grass / Tumble Grass)

Ec & E USA

Native to dry soils of fields and open woods

Prefers a damp well-drained soil in sun

Stems up to 60cm high

A dense clump producing airy flower plumes from July to October

Eragrostis trichodes

(Sand love grass)

Illinois to Texas

Native to sandy woodlands

1.2m

Sun and well-drained soil (drought tolerant)

The most striking feature of this plant is the red tinted inflorescences, which appear in July and are in such contrast to the strong green leaves