About
A very large, clump-forming, evergreen grass with tough, narrow, arching leaves and huge, branching panicles of pale gold, oat-like flowers reaching to 3m, in summer and autumn.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in medium to light, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Divide every few years in late winter to early spring to retain vigour. See ornamental grasses cultivation
PruningRemove dead foliage and old flowering stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in late winter to early spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free