About
Chionochloa conspicua is an evergreen grass that develops dense clumps of flat, green foliage with hints of orange, red, and brown, reaching lengths of up to 1.5 meters. In summer, its gracefully arching stems produce creamy-white flower plumes that mature into soft, brown seeds.
About the genus
Chionochloa comprises dense, tufted evergreen grasses featuring slender, linear leaves that may exhibit appealing colors. In summer, they produce elongated stems topped with loose panicles that contain small flowering spikelets.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained, light, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold winds and excessive winter wet
- Pruning
- Cut back old, flowered stems at the bases in early winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free