Overview
Stipa pennata is a tufted grass in the genus Stipa, part of the Poaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Stipa pennata grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include gravel garden, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Altay, Austria, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East European Russia, France and Germany.
About
Stipa pennata, commonly known as European feather grass, is a flowering plant and arid zone sand grass in the grass family Poaceae, which is grown as an ornamental plant for its feathery flowering spikes. It is one of the most common plants of the Eurasian Steppe from Mongolia in the east to the Puszta in Hungary and the Devínska Kobyla forest-steppe in Slovakia in the west.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Stipa pennata
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Stipa
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Stipa pennata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Altay, Austria, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East European Russia, France, Germany
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Stipa pennata
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Stipa pennata?
Stipa pennata prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Stipa pennata need?
Stipa pennata grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Stipa pennata hardy in the UK?
Stipa pennata has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Stipa pennata?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring.
