Stipa tenuifolia Steud.
slender-leaved feather grass
A tufted perennial grass about 1m high with rough-textured, inrolled narrow leaves 30cm long, and sparse, slender panicles, 35 cm long, of purple-brown flowers in summer, followed by brown seeds covered in white or pale brown hairs; not to be confused with Stipa tenuissima
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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 | Brown Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Brown | Gold | ||
| Winter | Gold |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light-textured, well-drained soil in full sun; for more advice, see ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Coastal
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required, but old flowered stems and any dead leaves may be cut to just above ground level in early spring, and the cut stems may be left around the plants as a mulch; for more advice, see ornamental grasses: cutting back
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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