Associate the Deschampsia

In a bed of grasses

Deschampsias will naturally find their place in a grass border. For example, a Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Palava’ can be placed at the edge of the border for its dense, rounded tuft shape. Next to it, we will install a Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘var. pendula’ for its raspberry-red flower spikes, a few Sedums, an autumn Aster for its late flowering, and a Fescue ‘mairei’ for its fine foliage.

In the middle of the border, we will plant Echinacea purpurea for their long flowering period featuring large, purple-pink flowers with a copper-brown centre, alongside a Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ and a Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ for its light, lavender-blue flowers.

We will then play with heights at the back of the border by incorporating tall grasses such as Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, a giant Stipa, not forgetting a magnificent Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana).

On the left: a border composed of grasses and flowers: Aconitum, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, Aster, and Miscanthus (Copyright-MAP). On the right: Echinacea purpurea and Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Palava’

In pots on the terrace or balcony

With heights ranging from 30 to 60 cm, Deschampsias are perfect for adding movement and verticality to a large pot or container. These grasses will enhance the terrace or balcony for many months, even in winter when frost clings to their spikes. They can be paired with other grasses, such as a blue fescue or an Pennisetum orientale ‘JS Dance With Me’ for its beautiful fluffy plumes. You can also place a New Zealand flax in another pot nearby to create a lovely contrast.

For a flowering pot, you can plant Calibrachoas, annual Lobelias, or a Bacopa ‘Gulliver Blue Sensation’ at the base of the Deschampsia, which will form a flowering cascade. If you prefer perennials, consider a Campanula carpatica for its long summer flowering. An Armeria maritima or a Jasione laevis ‘Blaulicht’ will integrate perfectly with their pom-pom shaped flowers. A Sedum ‘Chocolate Cherry’ will provide a beautiful contrast with its purple-tinged foliage.

Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Ballerina Red’, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’, Pennisetum orientale ‘JS Dance With Me’, Sedum ‘Chocolate Cherry’, Calibrachoa Superbells ‘Double Ruby’

In a natural garden

With their natural silhouette, Deschampsias will blend beautifully into a country or naturalistic garden. They can be planted in a lush border alongside other grasses with decorative spikes such as Miscanthus, Pennisetums, or Stipas.

Add splashes of colour by planting wild-looking perennials such as Anthemis, Echinaceas, and Asters for their abundant autumn flowering. Achilleas and Buenos Aires Verbenas will also find their place in this pastoral setting. Also install a Gaura, an Eupatorium maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’, and a Perovskia for their airy flowering. For a perfect scene, add a knotweed for its lovely floral spikes.

Eupatorium maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’, Aster cordifolius ‘Little Carlow’, Anthemis tinctoria ‘Sauce Hollandaise’, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, Perovskia and Echinaceas

In a romantic garden

In a romantic-inspired garden, Deschampsias will bring lightness with their airy spikes, accompanied by a Gypsophila paniculata ‘flamingo’ with its powder-pink flowering. In a ballet of pink and white hues, we will plant a hardy geranium ‘chantilly’ for its pale porcelain-like flowers and an Aster ‘Harry Schmidt’ to extend the flowering until the gates of winter. In this poetic setting, we will reserve a prime spot for a bush rose or climbing rose, such as the highly fragrant David Austin rose ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. A clematis or sweet peas will climb an arch, pergola, or trellis against a wall. For a successful marriage, add some ornamental garlic bulbs for their flowering globes, graceful Astrantias, a foxglove, or a lupin ‘La Chatelaine rose’, a white delphinium, a beautiful peony, and Iris germanica.

Gypsophila paniculata ‘flamingo’, Aster ‘Harry Schmidt’, white delphinium, David Austin rose ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, and Deschampsia

In a contemporary garden

With its light silhouette, Deschampsia will be a wonderful addition to a contemporary garden with clean, structured lines. It will contrast, with a sense of lightness, against the rounded and strict lines of boxwood shaped into spheres. It can be placed alongside other grasses such as Chinese fountain grass for its dense form and beautiful fluffy plumes, or Stipa tenuifolia and Hakonechloa macra for its lush foliage. Height can be added by installing a Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’ (a variety of bamboo with yellow stems) or a Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ with variegated foliage in the background. A Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, ornamental bulb Allium ‘Mount Everest’, and Agapanthus africanus will add roundness to the scene. Add some flowers by planting a white arum, a Hellebore ‘Slaty Blue’, a Foxglove, and a Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’.

Agapanthus africanus, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Palava’, Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’, boxwood and Hakonechloa macra, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’

In a winter garden

The evergreen (or semi-evergreen) foliage of Deschampia remains decorative for a long time in winter, especially when it is covered in frost. Its golden colour brightens up the garden and the dormant flowerbeds. For a decorative garden, even in winter, it can be paired with the red wood of a Cornus alba ‘Baton Rouge’. A Winter Viburnum will be very interesting for its winter flowering and remarkably fragrant blooms. In neutral or acidic soil, one could plant an Acer palmatum ‘Sangokaku’ for its tawny orange foliage in autumn and its naked red wood in winter. An Edgeworthia chrysantha will also add a bright touch with its white and golden yellow flowers. For flowers, plant some bulbs of snowdrops, hellebores, and a winter heather. Also anticipate the return of fine days by planting spring bulbs and early flowering perennials, such as indigo lupins, columbines, and spurge.

→ Also discover our selection of winter-flowering shrubs and our autumn-coloured shrubs.

Red-stemmed Cornus, Hellebore, snowdrop, Deschampia and Edgeworthia

To find out more

• Discover all our varieties of Deschampsia
• To find out everything, browse our complete sheet on Deschampsia, tufted hair grass: planting, care, and companion planting