<em>Deschampsia</em>, tufted hair-grass: planting, care and companion young plants

Description and botany

Deschampsias or Canches are grasses in family Poaceae, plants commonly called grasses. They occur worldwide in temperate climates of both hemispheres and even grow at altitude, including some tropical zones.

Of roughly fifty annual or perennial species, few are cultivated for ornamental purposes. Deschampsia cespitosa (or caespitosa) and Deschampsia flexuosa are the two most widely used for decorative value.

Canches have very fine, rough foliage. Flat or rolled, leaves can be rough (D. cespitosa) or smooth (D. flexuosa), with slightly sharp-edged margins. They show prominent veins separated by translucent membranes. Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on winter severity, these grasses form dense, trailing habit clumps, 30 to 60 cm high and about as wide. Usually green, some cultivars display golden tones such as Deschampsia ‘Tatra Gold’.

Excellent groundcovers, they are also valued for their inflorescences of loose spikelets, each spikelet formed of 2 to 4 fertile flowers. These are carried on erect stems and rise from 40 cm to over 1.20 m. Flowering generally occurs in summer, between June and August, though some varieties flower later. For example, Deschampsia ‘Tardiflora’ blooms more between August and November.

Spikes of Canches begin in shades of green, often pale, sometimes tinged with yellow, gold, purple or bronze. Colours evolve towards straw-yellow or deeper purple. All catch light beautifully, especially when backlit by evening sun or placed against a dark background. Inflorescences remain decorative into winter and add a dreamlike touch to garden when dusted with frost.

Hardy to at least -20 °C, Deschampsias prefer cool soils but tolerate drought once established. Deschampsia cespitosa are suitable for heavy, clayey, even marshy or temporarily flooded soil. Deschampsia flexuosa, by contrast, thrives in sandy, free-draining ground and copes very well with dry conditions.

Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’ : in July and November

Undemanding, Canches grow in acid, neutral or calcareous soil. Bright, sunny exposure favours abundant flowering. Cultivation in half-shade or light shade is possible but plants are less floriferous.

This grass is also well suited to growing in pots, ideal for decorating terraces and balconies.

Very easy to grow, Deschampsias have virtually no pests and require almost no maintenance. A light annual tidy at end of winter is sufficient.

Propagation is easy, whether by division of the stump or by collecting self-sown seedlings that appear in cool soil.

Their light, airy aspect and elegant upright habit suit many combinations and uses. They fit romantic or naturalistic gardens alongside roses or perennials, as well as contemporary compositions to which they add rhythm and dynamism.

Different varieties of Deschampsias

Deschampsia caespitosa

This is the type species, with rather ordinary green foliage, largely offset by numerous spike inflorescences whose brightness increases over the course of the season. When placed backlit against a dark background, it creates a dazzling picture.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Deschampsia cespitosa Bronzeschleier

In summer, the very numerous spikes appear bronze-green at opening. Their colour then lightens to finish in warm straw tones by autumn.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 80 cm

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Deschampsia caespitosa Goldschleier

Forming a compact, attractively arching clump, this canche is spectacular all year round. Its translucent spikes are first yellow-green, later blending gold and silver at the end of the season.

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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Deschampsia caespitosa Goldtau

Variety with a more compact habit than the type species. More drought-tolerant, it flowers even in shade or in dry soil. Its delicate-textured panicles shift from yellow-green to reddish-brown, finishing in fabulous burnished tones.

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Deschampsia cespitosa Tardiflora

This variety stands out for its later flowering, between August and October. It forms a large, fountain-shaped clump. Its dense foliage covers soil well and its long stems bear inflorescences first yellow-green, then a bright golden blonde by the end of the season. The spikes remain decorative in winter and its evergreen foliage ensures a strong presence.

• Flowering time September to December
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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Deschampsia flexuosa Tatra Gold

This variety of canche displays a unique colouring. Its acid-green, almost fluorescent foliage forms a hirsute, tousled clump that never looks scruffy. In summer, its panicles create a golden mist tinged with bronze. Tatra Gold is particularly suited to poor, free-draining, acidic soils. In partial shade, its brightness is enhanced.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Planting Deschampsia

Where to plant Deschampsias?

Deschampsias perform best in sunny, non-scorching exposure, and in any fresh soil. Growing in partial shade or light shade is possible but avoid dense shade. Once established, Canches can withstand temporary drought. The Deschampsia flexuosa is best suited to dry, acidic soils. Deschampsia cespitosa can, for its part, tolerate heavy, clay soils, even marshy and temporarily waterlogged conditions.

Canche is very adaptable. All soils suit it, whether rich or poor, acidic, neutral or calcareous.

This grass finds its place in borders, by the edge of a pond as well as in a pot on a terrace or balcony.

When to plant?

Preferably plant in autumn or spring. In coldest regions, install your young plants in spring to give them a season to establish well.

How to plant?

Planting in open ground :

1. Soak the rootball in a bucket or basin of water. The young plant must be saturated with water before planting.
2. Dig a hole about twice the size of the rootball, i.e. 20 cm all round for a 9 cm bucket.
3. Mix the excavated soil with a spadeful of well-rotted compost or with potting soil. In poor soil, add a handful of horn meal to feed the plant long-term.
4. Lift the young plant from its container and place the rootball so that base of foliage is level with soil.
5. Backfill with remaining soil and firm lightly
6. Water generously immediately after planting and during the first weeks, especially in dry weather.
7. Mulch to a depth of about 5 cm (shredded branches, pales of flax or hemp, dry lawn clippings, cocoa husks…). For a modern, mineral composition, many options are also available (slate chips, crushed brick, gravel, sand…).

Planting in a pot :

1. Immerse the young plant in plenty of water until uniformly moist.
2. Choose a pot at least 40 cm all round. Ensure drainage holes are present at base of pot.
3. Place shards of old terracotta pots over the drainage holes, then cover them with a 5 cm drainage layer (gravel, clay pebbles…). Lay a geotextile felt cut to size over this draining layer. This prevents potting soil being washed out during watering.
4. Make an equal mix of garden soil and potting soil. Add a handful of compost and one of horn meal.
5. Pour the mix into the pot and position your Canche without burying the foliage (base should be level with substrate). Firm lightly.
6. Leave 2–3 cm between substrate and rim of pot to allow mulching and effective watering.
7. Water in stages, in small amounts, until water runs out of base of pot.
8. Apply a mulch organic (wood chips, cocoa or buckwheat husks…) or mineral (gravel, pebbles, slate…) up to rim of container.

In a pot, monitor watering throughout the season. As soon as first centimetres of soil are dry, water again.

When the young plant completely fills the pot (after about 3 or 4 years on average), it’s time to divide the clump to replant in fresh substrate.

Caring for Deschampsias

The Deschampsias require very little care. At the end of winter, tidy the clump by combing the foliage. Do this by hand (wear gloves as the leaves can be a little sharp), with a rake or a cat comb. Be gentle so as not to uproot the plant. Remove old, dried foliage and, if any stems remain, cut them back to their base, at the foliage.

Add compost and top up mulch as needed.

In open ground, except in case of severe, prolonged drought, tufted hair-grasses need only rainwater. However, water regularly during first year, while root system is not yet well developed.

In a pot, simply allow the substrate to dry between waterings but do not let your plant become too dry, it will lose its beauty. Every spring, add compost (one to two handfuls per pot) and work it in by lightly scratching the surface. Divide your tufted hair-grass when it becomes cramped in its container (on average every 3 or 4 years).

Deschampsia cespitosa in autumn

Propagate Deschampsias

Sowings

In fresh soil, Deschampsias reseed themselves without becoming invasive. Collect these sowings using a transplanting trowel, keeping a small volume of soil around the roots.

Replant them immediately elsewhere in the garden. Mulch and water.

Ensure young plants do not suffer from drought in the first weeks.

Clump division

Clump division is carried out in early spring.

1. Form a tree ring around the plant using a sharp spade, about ten centimetres from the base.
2. Lift the grass clump, keeping as much soil as possible around the roots.
3. Using the spade or a knife, slice to form several sections. The larger these are, the faster you will obtain young plants of a good size.
4. Replant the sections immediately in their final position.
5. Water and mulch.

Discover how to divide an ornamental grass with our video

Companion planting Deschampsias in the garden

Thanks to their airy, light habit and ease of cultivation, Deschampsias offer numerous planting combinations.

Place them preferably so that light illuminates them from behind. Low slanting late-afternoon rays enhance them, especially when they stand out against a backdrop of dark foliage.

For a naturalistic effect, pair them with other ornamental grasses with decorative spikes such as Miscanthus, Pennisetums or Stipas. Add touches of colour with Heleniums, Echinacea, Gauras and Asters.

One planting idea: Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, Eupatorium maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (or ‘Caliente’, ‘Black Field’, ‘Fat Domino’…), Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ and Selinum wallichianum

Deschampsias also work wonders with inflorescences of Achilleas and Buenos Aires verbenas.

In a romantic-inspired garden, let their gossamer spikes envelop rose flowers, accompanied by hardy geraniums and Persicarias. Punctuate the scene with rounded heads of decorative alliums or with Agapanthus.

Show off their golden blond tones alongside trees and bushes that turn red or orange in autumn such as Smokebushes, Viburnums or Cornus.

With their spikes appearing fairly late in season (summer), accompany their supple clumps with groups of spring bulbs and perennials whose flowering starts earlier, such as Baptisia (false indigo), Aquilegias or Euphorbias.

In a generously sized container, create a mini decorative garden that lasts for many months. For this, pair, for example, a Deschampsia with Calibrachoas or annual Lobelias. Complete with a specimen of Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, another annual with very long flowering. Finally, create a counterpoint to verticality of Deschampsia spikes with silvery foliage and trailing habit of Dichondra Silver Falls.