Striking grass blades are variegated with gray and gold. As summer progresses, blades mature to gold with pinkish tips. Flower stems rise from the foliage to a height of 3′ in early summer bearing wide, airy panicles up to 20″ long of tiny variably-colored flowers of gold, silver, purple and green which form a cloud over the foliage that is particularly attractive when backlit.
‘Northern Lights’ is a cool-season grass that puts on most growth in spring before temperatures begin exceeding 75°F and again in fall when temperatures cool. Maintains good color through the summer but won’t grow much when it is hot. When cutting back in late winter leave about 1/3 of the plant — trimming too harshly can cause irreparable harm. Plants can be divided in spring or early fall.