Token, we can't always get what we want...LOL Why not grow an annual grass since several of them (millet, f.e.) have a much more purple color than the perennial ones? I grant you, a perennial grass is very low maintenance but if you simply HAVE to have purple it may take a bit of effort - a small price to pay anyway since you'd probably be out there working in the garden anyway, right? BTW, I have several of the Shenandoah grasses and LOVE them but they are more red than purple.

OKGirl, You have to keep watering in mind on this garden. I would not recommend the Miscanthus or the P 'Karley Rose'. They will do well in a regularly irrigated situation but this doesn't look like such a spot. As you drive around, you will notice that the Miscanthus that look lush and green are in areas with sprinkler systems for the most part or in well tended beds in private residences. The ones in unwatered situations (Pennisetum and Miscanthus) I see around here are stunted with curly tips and look like c--p. The Ravenne Grass is being used in Highway Plantings and other very dry situations and it looks great in isolated plantings too. Also the Chaste Trees are being used in the same way and they are very lush and have soft colors with continuous bloom making them a great grass companion. Another grass needing regular watering in my own yard is the Korean Feather Grass and the 'Karl Forrester'. The blue Fescue's don't do well here. The humidity gets them and you will probably loose them after a season or two. A better choice is Helictochon (Blue Avena Grass) for a low blue grass. Its more dramatic as well. I am considering getting rid of the rest of my 'Karly Rose'. It leans from the shade coming on late afternoon even though it gets a full amount of sun and worse, it seems to need a lot of water to keep it from looking dry. I decided I don't much like it because it looks too prissy. I think the Pink Gulf Muhly is a good choice but it only looks good planted in masses in my opinion and doesn't mix well with 'Karl Forester' or Pennisetum plus they have differing water demands. I would definitely recommend the Muhlenbergia Lindheimeri from SRG to go with it and the Little Bluestem (any flavor) and the Mexican Feather Grass. I would also consider that cultivar of Indian Grass (very blue) from SRG. You can then easily increase your planting area as time goes by with seeds as well from each of these.

The biggest difference is winter hardiness. Otherwise, they are about the same size, and have the same characteristics of habit and bloom. I can tell which is which from the bloom, but unless you look at them side-by-side, you probably couldn't. Pink is more pink, while Purple is magenta. Ornamental grasses shouldn't have their crowns covered with mulch during their growing season, but when they're dormant, it can be helpful. During at least the first two winters, you would be wise to cut the grass back before the coldest season comes, and cover the crowns with several inches of coarse mulch, like wood chips. As soon as the coldest season has passed, uncover the crowns. If you have a very wet cold season, uncover them. I assume you don't have reliable snow cover, so this method of mulching tender grasses gives them good insulation.

Good luck. I divided some Muhlenbergia riverchonnii last spring and only now are they looking half way decent and putting out good root growth, seems the roots take their time reestablishing unlike some other grasses I grow. The clumps just sat there mostly brown all last summer. M. lindheimeirii and deergrass muhly are the same way. Small young plants will out grow and end up being way ahead of the divisions in my experience. I purchased a gallon size, and as it turned out, pot bound Gulf Muhly last spring on super sale and its taking forever to come around. It still looks insignificant and ratty with very little green after more than a year. I do better buying 4" potted plants than divisions but they do finally start back up. I'm getting psyched up to dig out a large M. 'flamingo' coming up in late winter because its blocking the view of the water meter down by the curb. I'm really looking forward to it........