Deschampsia flexuosa
Wavy hair grass, Crinkled hair grass, Common hair grass
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is even more refined than Deschampsia cespitosa. It makes neat, green, fan-shaped tussocks. It has extremely long, fine flowering stalks that turn golden by late summer when the purplish silver seed heads appear, waving in the gentlest breeze. Its fragility means it can be damaged in turbulent conditions, so you need to place it with care. It grows naturally on poor soil in forests but is happiest on heaths, much preferring the acidic conditions.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Purple, Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Prairie garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - mid · Planting
Prune to the ground
Plants that have been left all winter for the architectural effect of their foliage can be cut to the ground in spring, being careful not to damage the young growth that will just be emerging.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.
Found in
More Deschampsia
Deschampsia
Tussock grass, Hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bronzeschleier'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschleier'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia flexuosa 'Tatra Gold'
Wavy hair grass, Crinkled hair grass, Common hair grass
Deschampsia flexuosa 'AmiLime®'
Wavy hair grass, Crinkled hair grass, Common hair grass