Stipa barbata
Short bearded feather grass, Feather grass
Also known as Stipa pulcherrima f. nudicostata
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A tall ephemeral grass with slender stems that are held largely upright although a few stalks may arch outwards. They provide a soft veil, partially concealing that which grows behind them. The floral inflorescence, the awn, is long, slender and coloured silver, appearing during July and August. A delectable grass, like a tight-bodiced maiden with streaming tresses if you've a fanciful mind. This needs sunshine and warmth to do well. It may well be damaged by windy positions, so place this treasure with care.
- Flower colour
- Silver, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- 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.
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 calamagrostis
Silver spike grass, Silver spear grass
Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene'
Golden oats, Giant oats, Giant feather grass
Stipa ichu
Ichu needle grass
Stipa pennata
European feather grass