Schizachyrium scoparium Twilight Zone

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' is a beautiful descendant of a North American grass little-known to European gardeners. Forming an upright and flexible clump, this variety offers pastel, iridescent, and changing colours, ranging from bluish-green to lavender-mauve and then purplish at the end of the season. In late summer, fine brown-purple inflorescences appear above the foliage, adding to the plant's charm. The broom grass is a beautiful companion for all plants in sandy or rocky, poor, and dry soil.

Schizachyrium scoparium, also known as broom beard grass, is native to the great plains of North America, a highly competitive environment where many species of Poaceae (the scientific name for grasses) coexist. It is sometimes still found under the name Andropogon scoparius. This species is capable of enduring summer drought, cold, and poor soils. Like many dry soil grasses, it will quickly decline (or at best, only live for a few years) if planted in overly rich or heavy soil. Pay close attention to soil drainage when planting - you can add gravel during planting and place the plant on a small mound to elevate it.

The 'Twilight Zone' variety is a horticultural selection derived from this plant. It has linear, flexible, trailing leaves, which are initially bluish before gradually turning soft lavender-mauve towards the end of July. As temperatures begin to drop in late summer, the leaves gradually take on beautiful purplish hues. This phenomenon is more pronounced if the nights are cool and the days are warm. It is also during this time, between September and November, that the plant blooms and produces fine upright spikes, which are initially beige before turning brownish-purple. Together, they create a changing and poetic display for many weeks. At maturity, this variety reaches about 1.2m (4ft) in height when in flower, with a width of 60cm (24in).

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' thrives in sunny dry borders, rockeries, or in containers. To accompany it, consider other grasses that thrive in similar conditions, such as Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky', amethyst fescue, or Helictotrichon sempervirens. Perennials such as baptisias, Geranium 'Azure Rush', and Nepeta 'Walker's Low' will complement these unmissable scenes.