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Stipa barbata

Stipa barbata
Bearded Feather Grass, Silver Spike Grass, Silver Awn Grass

4,5/5
2 reviews
2 reviews
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It's a young plant that I love, I would gladly put more of them in the garden, but it's too small for that. I'm looking forward to its growth in spring 2023, post-heatwave assessment.

Md, 30/12/2022

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
This wild, lightweight grass is easy to grow and flowers even in very dry soil. Its long, graceful and extravagant silver feathers bend and play with the wind and the light making up for the somewhat insignificant tuft of leaves. This grass can look natural or contemporary according to the style of the garden and is never invasive.
Flower size
40 cm
Height at maturity
60 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
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Flowering time June to July
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Description

Stipa barbata is not spectacular in terms of its foliage or stature, but this graceful wild plant has an extravagant and sumptuous summer flowering, coming alive with the slightest breeze, unfurling long, silky, spirals that have earned it its other name of angel hair. This grass is easy to grow in the sun and well-drained, even rocky soil, and deserves to be planted more often, especially in dry gardens. It is a beautiful little 'grass' that is never invasive but easily self-seeds in light soil. A perennial that fits in any garden, from natural to contemporary.

 

Stipa barbata is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the poaceae family, like many grasses. It originates from the steppes of southern Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. This clump-forming plant grows in a narrow and arched tuft of very fine linear, medium green leaves which are smooth on the top and finely hairy on the underside. When mature, it will be about 60 cm (24in) high when in flower and 30 cm (12in) wide. Its growth can be quite fast. The foliage is evergreen. In summer, from June to late July depending on the climate, rigid stems emerge from the tuft of leaves, bearing inflorescences in the form of very long, thin and flexible, soft and silky brushes, silvery-white turning golden in autumn. Seeds form in late summer on the stems which retain their extraordinary beauty until winter. They are dispersed by the wind to ensure the species' survival.

 

Stip barbata is hardy down to -15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil, a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas where the soil is poor and rocky. This grass is loved because it has beautiful flowering, very light foliage, and it is decorative for a good part of the year. The plant softly rustles in the wind, moving in even the lightest breeze and is lit up in low evening light. It accompanies light flowering perennials such as linarias, penstemons, field daisies, Aster cordifolius, scabious or even annual poppies and asphodels. The dark foliage of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb', Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea, Sambucus Black Lace, Cotinus 'Royal Purple', or Physocarpus 'Diabolo' will enhance its long hair in moist soil. Plant it where you can enjoy it, along a pathway, on the edge of a terrace or in a large pot composition.

Stipa barbata in pictures

Stipa barbata (Flowering) Flowering

Flowering

Flower colour grey
Flowering time June to July
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 40 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Stipa

Species

barbata

Family

Poaceae

Other common names

Bearded Feather Grass, Silver Spike Grass, Silver Awn Grass

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference849441

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Planting and care

Plant Stipa barbata in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil, even dry in summer, chalky and poor, or rocky or sandy. It is hardy down to -15°C (5°F) but hates soil which is heavy and waterlogged in winter. This lovely plant is easy to grow, without any problems or maintenance. Do not cut back the foliage in winter, simply comb it through in late winter with your hand to remove dried leaves.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, poor, light, very well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Do not prune the foliage in winter. Gently brush it with your hand at the end of winter to remove dried leaves.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,5/5
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