{"product_id":"cenchrus-purpurascens-nafray","title":"Cenchrus purpurascens 'Nafray'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNafray Fountain Grass \/ Purple Fountain Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cenchrus purpurascens ‘Nafray’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003ePoaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eAfrica (cultivar selection)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen to semi-evergreen ornamental grass\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfectly suited to Adelaide’s warm, dry Mediterranean climate, Cenchrus purpurascens ‘Nafray’ is a compact, highly ornamental fountain grass valued for its arching burgundy-green foliage and soft, smoky-purple flower plumes. Smaller and tidier than traditional purple fountain grass, it delivers strong colour, texture and movement without becoming overpowering. Flowering from late spring through autumn, it provides long seasonal interest in borders, mass plantings and containers. Heat-loving, drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to coastal conditions, ‘Nafray’ is a reliable performer in South Australian landscapes, especially where low maintenance and bold contrast are desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6–0.9 m H × 0.6–0.8 m W (compact, arching clump)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narrow, arching leaves in deep burgundy to purple-green; colour intensifies in full sun and warm weather, softening slightly in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft bottlebrush-like plumes in smoky purple to rose tones from late spring through autumn\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1405\" data-end=\"1419\"\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong foliage colour from spring through autumn, with airy flower plumes adding movement; semi-evergreen structure through mild Adelaide winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides shelter for small insects; seed heads may attract birds late in the season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; excellent heat tolerance; wind tolerant; suitable for coastal gardens (second-line); light frost hardy but foliage may brown briefly in colder winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDensity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting: 3–5 plants per m²; borders: 60–80 cm apart; containers: 30–40 cm pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for best colour and flowering; tolerates very light part shade with reduced intensity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained sandy, loamy or improved clay soils; tolerates Adelaide’s slightly alkaline conditions; avoid prolonged waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; minimal watering in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low; cut back old foliage in late winter to refresh growth; remove spent flower heads if a tidier look is desired; avoid high fertiliser inputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10+ years in well-drained conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia — Adelaide Plains, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to slightly alkaline; tolerant of mildly acidic soils if well drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModern and Mediterranean gardens needing bold foliage contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMass planting for rhythm and movement in large beds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeature grass for courtyards and alfresco containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal and heat-exposed sites where colour and toughness are essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs beautifully with salvias, lomandra, lavender, westringia and succulents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Nafray’ delivers dramatic colour, soft texture and graceful movement with very little effort. Compact, heat-tough and drought-tolerant, it thrives in Adelaide’s climate while providing long-season interest in borders, mass plantings and pots. A refined ornamental grass that brings impact without the bulk, it’s an easy win for modern, coastal and low-maintenance South Australian gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48617216147708,"sku":"CENC-PURP-NAFR-140MM","price":14.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/cenchrus-purpurascens-nafray-fountain-grass-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1766212767","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/cenchrus-purpurascens-nafray","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}