Stipa barbata

Also Known As

Silver Feather Grass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

H: 2'-4'
W: 1'-3'

planting zones

6a-10b

More Options

Stipa barbata plant details

Dreamy! The soft focus wandering wands of the the flowers on this grass gently knit through surrounding plants, bringing light, movement, and magic. Easy to grow in full sun. They don't produce much seed, which is why they're not as widely available as we wish, even through they're the star of the show when in bloom. This is one of those "when you see it available, get it" must-have plants.

Stipa barbata is a semi-evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In summer silver and yellow flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Stipa barbata

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: silver and yellow blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, dried-arrangements, easy-to-grow, rock garden, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Stipa barbata

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A long time, garden-tested needlegrass from southern Europe with long, feathered seedheads that curl sinuously above the foliage, reflecting the low angled sunlight of a fall afternoon. One of the most asked about plants in the Cistus garden when in bloom. A clumper, the blades grow to 2 ft by 2 ft, and the inflorescence (flowering stalk) to 3 ft. Sun, and not much summer water. Cold hardy to USDA zone 6.

By: Cistus Nursery

Silver Feather Grass is one of the most graceful and curious of all perennial grasses. From a low clump spectacular flower spikes rise to 30" unfurling silken streamers that trail in the breeze to 1' long. Seeds curl into crazy curled corkscrews making wild dried arrangements. Very drought tolerant.

By: Far Reaches Farm

In my opinion, the most beautiful of all grasses, & (ha ha) just about the slowest growing. So though it takes several years before this mesmerizing “Feather Grass” from Southern Europe gets to a decent size it’s truly worth the wait! Forming a dense clump of foliage to about 10” tall, the excitement comes in June & July when it forms its dramatic feather-like awns. Extremely long & held horizontally, the silvery silky plumes wave & undulate in the slightest breeze. The awns end in only a single seed which is hard to capture before it flies away – hence a higher price than most grasses. A treasure!