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Ornamental grass ID

raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
in Plants
Does anyone know this one? Ignore the red leaves at the base - that's an oxalis growing in amongst it. My mother had it in a pot. I planted it in the garden and it's grown o nearly 2m tall, about a foot diameter. Doesn't self seed. Hardy. Evergreen (well, dark purple). I've dug it up because it's far too big for where I'd put it (hence it currently being in a bucket). Before I try to divide it and replant it, I'd like to ID it in the hope of not making the same mistake twice.




Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
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Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Stems are very bamboo like but sadly don't know what it is but I know you can saw bamboo in half through the root ball to make 2 plants.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Thanks K67. I can't find any types of bamboo that have the feathery leaf - do you know of any? If I can't ID it I'll try the bread knife approach and hope for the best, but it would be good to have a bit more of a clue. I can't even figure out a species :confounded:
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If it is bamboo it will probably die after flowering but the RHS says it's not always the end - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=79 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Youre right Obelixx it is a flowering bamboo -  never seen that happen before.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Well if it is it's been flowering continuously for about 4 years. So I don't think it's that. It's never had any bamboo type leaf, just the fine fronds you can just about see on the stems in the last photo
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Could it be Melica altissima 'Atropurpurea'?

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Maybe a Restio.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Nice to have been told it's always been flowering would have saved Obelixx time spent finding out information for you and me time reading it!
    We all want to help forum members but do need as much detail as possible to help.
    Hope the other suggestions are useful
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Whatever it is, it can be divided by cutting up with an old bread knife or a saw, depending on size but this is best done in spring as new growth starts and after removing all the old stems.   

    Far too late now and, in my experience, grasses sulk and die if you do it in autumn and I wouldn't risk it now when it's in full flower so try and give it a bigger pot or a temporary hole with some decent soil and lots of water.  Looks parched.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited June 2018
    punkdoc said:
    Maybe a Restio.
    Oh - punk - I think you may have got it. It could be a Rhodocoma capensis, if a rather sickly one.

    The South African website says these don't like being divided, so that could be a really good save - thank you      :)

    K67 - if I'd known it was relevant, I'd have said it. The trouble with having no idea what a plant is, one has no idea what it's defining characteristics may be.  
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
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