Deschampsia flexuosa
wavy hair grass
Tufted evergreen grass about 60cm in height, with thread-like, smooth blue-green leaves to 20cm long. Silver-tinted purple or brown spikelets, in open flower panicles are produced on wavy stems, in early and midsummer
Synonyms
Aira flexuosaAira alpestris
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Purple | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green Brown | |||
| Winter | Blue Green Brown |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Deschampsia can be deciduous or evergreen, tufted grasses with linear or thread-like leaves and open flowering panicles in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Temp. N. Hemisphere
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist or well-drained neutral to acid garden soil in sun or part shade, incorporating plenty of well-rotted garden compost before planting to help retain moisture in dry soils. See Ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed in situ in spring or autumn, or by division in mid spring or early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove flower heads before growth begins in early spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.