Including flower spikes, plants are 4 to 5 feet tall. Very vertical in appearance. They begin growing in very early spring. Leaves turn tan in the fall and winter. Flowers rise above the leaves and are brownish-purple.
Flowers fade to golden yellow.
Seed heads persist and are attractive from summer through the next spring. This cool-season grass begins growing in very early spring and does not go dormant in the summer if grown with moderate water. Will grow in heavy soils. If the seed stalks are left on the plant in the winter, they will provide interesting winter appearance. Snow loads will cause the seed stalks to bend to the ground, but most will pop back upright when the snow melts.