Stipa pennata
European feather grass
- Height × spread
- 0.75m × 0.35m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A pretty grass that has extremely slender bright green arching leaves that make a pleasing mound. The long flowering stalks are held erect and are topped by long silvered flower heads (awns) that come from mid to late summer. The plant bears a visual similarity to the popular Stipa tenuissima. This is a native of the southern parts of Europe and needs a sunny position to thrive.
- Flower colour
- Silver, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.75m
- Spread
- 0.35m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Remove dead leaves
When leaves die they can carefully be detached or cut off at their base to improve the overall appearance of the plant. Be careful not to damage the main stems during this process.
Found in
More Stipa
Stipa arundinacea
Pheasant's tail grass, New Zealand wind grass
Stipa gigantea
Golden oats, Giant oats, Giant feather grass
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
Mexican hair grass
Stipa
Needle grass, Spear grass, Feather grass
Stipa barbata
Short bearded feather grass, Feather grass
Stipa calamagrostis
Silver spike grass, Silver spear grass
Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene'
Golden oats, Giant oats, Giant feather grass
Stipa ichu
Ichu needle grass