About
Anemanthele lessoniana 'Sirocco' is a semi-evergreen perennial grass that reaches heights of up to 1 meter. It features tough, dark green foliage that showcases prominent orange-brown streaking during the summer months, eventually turning a uniform orange-brown in winter. From midsummer through early autumn, it produces drooping panicles of purplish-green flower spikelets, which can extend up to 30 centimeters in length and are suitable for drying. For optimal color development, this grass thrives in full sunlight.
About the genus
Anemanthele consists of semi-evergreen grasses that create clumps of narrow, arching leaves. These grasses produce substantial, feathery clusters of small reddish-brown flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Rake through the plant to remove dead leaves in early spring. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further information. May have the potential to become a nuisance due to prolific self-seeding if not managed well
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free