About
Stipa arundinacea is a perennial grass grown for its arching green leaves that often take on orange, copper and gold tones in drier soils. It typically forms foliage to about 0.9 m in favorable conditions and is widely cultivated as an ornamental. In milder winters it remains evergreen to semi-evergreen, but it is marginal and will go dormant and become deciduous after hard frosts. It flowers from June to September.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Anemanthele
About the genus
Stipa is a genus of about 140 species of large perennial hermaphroditic grasses collectively known as feather grass, needle grass, and spear grass. They are placed in the subfamily Pooideae and the tribe Stipeae, which also contains many species formerly assigned to Stipa, which have since been reclassified into new genera.
Wikipedia contributors, "Stipa", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Stipa
In the garden
Stipa arundinacea (Pheasant's Tail Grass) is a grass species originating from New Zealand and commonly cultivated in gardens for its graceful, arching foliage; it has also been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Although naturally uncommon in the wild, it is widely grown as an ornamental for its foliage colour and form. The plant carries green leaves that can develop clear orange, copper and gold highlights, particularly where soils are drier, and can reach roughly 0.9 m in height under favourable conditions. It tends to remain evergreen to semi-evergreen in milder climates but is marginal in colder areas and will die back or become deciduous following severe winter frosts. These seasonal changes are a normal part of its habit in cooler gardens. Use Stipa arundinacea where its arching form will be visible through the border; the combination of foliaged tones works well alongside other perennials and structural planting. Expect the flowering period to run from June to September.
Plant details
Stipa arundinacea size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
More in the Stipa genus
- Stipafeather grass
- Stipa barbata
- Stipa bavarica
- Stipa calamagrostisrough feather grass
- Stipa capillatavery slender feather grass
- Stipa ichuichu
- Stipa joannis
- Stipa pennata
