A frost hardy, clump-forming, deciduous, perennial grass, often grown as an annual, with long, upright to arching, flat or rolled, maroon to dark red leaves, flushed green in spring. Narrow, nodding panicles of long-bristled, reddish-purple flower spikelets bloom from midsummer into autumn.
Height 1.5m (5ft), Spread 1.2m (4ft), 1-2 years to maturity.