About
Clusters of red-tinted flowers appear throughout the summer. A semi-evergreen, clump-forming grass to around 60cm in height, with narrow, vibrant green foliage on arching stems. Gives movement to gravel gardens or rockeries where it may self-seed. Relatively short-lived and so be prepared to replace after 3 or 4 years.
About the genus
Stipa can be evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses with arching, folded or rolled, linear leaves and narrow panicles of often long-awned spikelets in summer and autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Rock garden, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, medium to light well-drained soil in full sun. Good in gravel gardens as considered drought-resistant. Plants may need to be replaced after 3 or 4 years. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice
PruningComb out dead and winter-damaged leaves in early spring
PropagationPropagate by seed after flowering and may also self-seed, or propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free