Stipa barbata
bearded feather grass
A perennial grass producing a loose clump of narrow, mid-green leaves. From early summer it produces small clusters of flowers, with seed awns up to 45cm long, silky and silvery at first, then becoming cream, fluffy and curled, like an ostrich feather
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Cream | Green | ||
| Autumn | Cream | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Stipa can be evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses with arching, folded or rolled, linear leaves and narrow panicles of often long-awned spikelets in summer and autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light, very well-drained soil in full sun. Can be slow to establish
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down to near ground level in early spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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