Nassella cernua

Also Known As

Nasella cernua
Stipa cernua
Nodding Needle Grass
Nodding Stipa

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

H: 12"-40"
W: 6"-10"

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Nassella cernua plant details

Nassella cernua is a deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue and green foliage. In summer purple and tan flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Nassella cernua

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue and green
Mature size: 6 IN - 10 IN - wide, 12 IN - 40 IN - tall
Flowers: purple and tan blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, focal point, meadow garden, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Nassella cernua

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Nodding needlegrass is a 2-3' perennial bunch grass that grows in the foothills of California. It is very drought tolerant and showy. Not only is it a beautiful native grass it is also very drought tolerant. The panicles of thin, fine, nodding awns have a silky aspect and are purplish then drying to silver. They glimmer when backlit. Often self sows. Deer resistant. Endemic to CA. Deep fibrous root help to stabilize slope and provide erosion control. No Historical Uses found. Found in grassland, chaparral, slopes . Communitites located in Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Coastal Sage, Scrub Between 0 and 4500 feet.

By: The Watershed Nursery

One of the most striking of the native bunch grasses. To 2’ tall, the panicle-like inflorescence has a single awn that is strongly bent. Judith Larner of Larner Seeds says “In flower and seed, a stunning show of panicles.” Native to California grasslands, oak woodlands and chaparrals. Its Latin name means “beautiful basket with a narrow neck”.