Stipa
Needle grass, Spear grass, Feather grass
- Height × spread
- 0.4m – 2.5m × 0.3m – 1.1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An attractive grass with a long season of interest, perfect for creating movement and texture in borders. In summer, silver or light brown feathery flower heads rise over clumps of narrow arching foliage, followed by seed heads which last into winter. Sizes range from 40cm up to over a metre tall, with similar spreads. Works well with other grasses in prairie-style planting schemes.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Green, Silver, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Grey, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Beige, Brown, Orange, Silver, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 0.4m – 2.5m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 1.1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- 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.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.
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 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
Stipa pennata
European feather grass