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Stipa tenuifolia

Stipa tenuifolia
Slender-leaved Feather Grass, Needle Grass, Fine Stem Needle Grass, Pony Tails

4,7/5
151 reviews
16 reviews
7 reviews
4 reviews
6 reviews

Planted six months ago, they are doing very well, despite rather heavy soil.

Vanessa, 08/09/2024

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
Wild garden enthusiasts are familiar with "cheveux d'ange" (angel hair), a grass that humbly settles and, within two seasons, transforms into an incredible fountain of fresh green hair, gently waving in the slightest breeze. In early summer, it undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming silky, blonde, and lightweight. The wind carves waves into it, and the sun drowns in it against the light. A hardy wonder, unaffected by challenging conditions, at home in all gardens, from the wildest to the most contemporary. A must-have!
Flower size
20 cm
Height at maturity
45 cm
Spread at maturity
45 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
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Flowering time July to August
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Description

Nicknamed "angel hair" or "pony tails", wild garden enthusiasts are familiar with the Stipa tenuifolia. This grass settles humbly, formed by a handful of unruly hairs, then it shoots up and thickens in two seasons, becoming an incredible fountain with fresh green hair that ripples at the slightest breeze, before transforming in summer into silky, blonde tufts. The wind creates waves in it, the sun drowns in it against the light. A wonderful perennial, unaffected by difficult conditions and clinging to poor, dry soils. It will find its place in all gardens, from the wildest to the most romantic, blending in very well with contemporary style. A must-have, which often self-seeds in the most unexpected areas and grows very well in pots! But who would complain?

The Stipa tenuifolia is a short-lived herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the poaceae family, like many grasses. Central America is its birthplace, from Argentina to Mexico, it extends up to Texas. This plant grows in small clumps of very fine, cylindrical and linear leaves, spring green, spreading out like a fountain. When mature, it will measure 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) in all directions, with rapid growth. The foliage is evergreen. In summer, long, soft and silky pale blonde inflorescences appear, turning golden and then bronze in autumn, slightly curved towards the ground. Seeds form in late summer on the spikes and cluster together in the plant, forming a somewhat rough mass like a handful of tow (Stipa comes from the Greek word stipê meaning tow). They are dispersed by the wind and greatly ensure the species' perpetuity in the garden and in nature.

Hardy up to -15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil, Stipa tenuifolia is a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas where the soil is poor and stony. This grass is appreciated for the extreme softness of its silky tufts, and its decorative appearance for much of the year. It accompanies floriferous and light perennials, such as linarias, penstemons, field daisies, Aster cordifolius, scabious, as well as annual poppies and love-in-a-mist. The dark foliage of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb', Cotinus 'Royal Purple', or Physocarpus 'Diabolo' in cooler soil will highlight its blonde plumes. Plant it in a place where you can touch it, along a path, along a terrace or in a large pot, grouping several specimens.

Stipa tenuifolia in pictures

Stipa tenuifolia (Flowering) Flowering
Stipa tenuifolia (Foliage) Foliage
Stipa tenuifolia (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time July to August
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 20 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour light green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 45 cm
Spread at maturity 45 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Stipa

Species

tenuifolia

Family

Poaceae

Other common names

Slender-leaved Feather Grass, Needle Grass, Fine Stem Needle Grass, Pony Tails

Origin

Central America

Product reference812042

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Planting and care

The Stipa tenuifolia (Nassella tenuissima) is a grass of Mediterranean climates, which as such requires full sun, in a perfectly drained, poor and chalky soil, even stony.

In order to lighten your soil if it is a bit heavy, you can add — in a proportion of 30 to 50% — gravel, coarse-grained sand or even pumice to the planting. Place a layer of several centimeters at the bottom of the hole, then mix the rest with the planting soil.

It is unnecessary, and even harmful to the plant, to add fertilizer (whatever it may be) at that time or later: it would only make it more susceptible to diseases and rot.

In suitable conditions, maintenance is limited to "brushing" the clump at the end of winter with a rake or by hand, in order to remove all unsightly dead leaves.
However, it is useful to cut the plant to 10-15 cm (4-6in) above the ground in colder climates, at least every 2-3 years, in order to encourage the production of new fresh-looking leaves. This also avoids the stump from becoming too deep. Dividing the clump is another solution to rejuvenate the plant, while multiplying it. This operation should be carried out in early spring.

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Planting period

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

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 6 per m2
Exposure Sun
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 Comb the old foliage in late winter by hand or using a rake. Do not cut back the foliage!
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to April
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,7/5

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