About
A deciduous grass to 60cm, forming a compact upright tuft of thread-like leaves, with narrow, arching, feathery pale brown flowering panicles in summer.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toUSA to S America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in medium to light, moderately fertile soil in full sun
PruningLeaves can be cut back when they die off; rather than doing this in late autumn it's best to wait until early spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free