Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.6m × 0.5m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These make quiet grassy tussocks of dark green foliage. There are some variegated, more showy forms now available. They come into their own when they flower, these coming from midsummer and lasting well into winter. The flowering inflorescence makes a cloud of spangled seeds, hanging well above the foliage, and beautiful. They can turn more golden with age and complement the rich tones of autumn flowering plants. They can be grown as single plants or in a colony. Usefully, they tolerate some shade and can be placed in woodland settings.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Beige, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates 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, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- 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.
Found in
More Deschampsia
Deschampsia
Tussock grass, Hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bronzeschleier'
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Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschleier'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia flexuosa
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Deschampsia flexuosa 'Tatra Gold'
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