Photo of Deschampsia cespitosa flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Used with permission, all rights reserved

Show all photos

Deschampsia cespitosa

Also Known As

  • Deschampsia caespitosa
  • Tufted Hair Grass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

  • H: 2'-3'
  • W: 1'-2'

planting zones

  • 4a-10b

More Options

Deschampsia cespitosa plant details

Deschampsia cespitosa is a deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Deschampsia cespitosa

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Uses: bare root shipping available, clumping

GROWING CONDITIONS for Deschampsia cespitosa

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Tufted Hairgrass, is a robust, clump-forming perennial grass with narrow, evergreen foliage. Airy panicles of purplish green florets with hair-like awns gracefully rise 2-3 feet above the dense tussocks. As the season progresses, the florets mature into a buff color, maintaining interest throughout winter. This cool-season grass thrives in moist or wet sites, making it ideal for stabilizing disturbed areas, streambanks, and shorelines. The attractive florets, with their light and airy quality, create a striking display through summer and autumn. With a height of 2-4 feet and a spread of 1-2 feet, it forms sod-like patches with deep root systems. Its adaptability to various soil types, including alkaline pH and moderate salinity, makes it a versatile addition to shade gardens, meadow gardens, perennial borders, and wildlife habitats. Deadheading in autumn prevents unwanted self-seeding, ensuring a low-maintenance yet charming landscape.

Bulk pricing available for orders of 10 or more plants. contact us!

grown in a 4 inch pot

Clump type cool season grass
A clumping, evergreen, perennial grass, native to the Eastern states of Australia. Soft mounds of dark green foliage to 30cm high. During Summer tall feathery sprays of silvery green flower heads are held well above the foliage. Keep moist and provide with light shade.

By: Zephs

Tufted hair grass, Fairy wand or Tussock grass. A densely tufted, evergreen perennial that forms mounds of darkest green foliage to 2' tall and 3' wide. The striking panicles of silky flowers are its most ornamental feature, and these emerge in late spring well above the foliage creating a virtual shimmering cloud in the garden. In areas with little wind or snow, the?flowering stalks will remain all winter, catching light and providing interest while dormant perennials store up reserves for spring. Most cultivars in the trade are of European heritage, but a California form exists that is quite tolerant of both aridity and shade. A suitable choice for borders, under native oaks, or on partially shaded moist slopes, tufted hair grass grows best in light shade with rich soil and regular water. Hardy to below 0F. North America, Europe.
Its early, pendulous, yellow-green to bronzy-purple flowers are an "indispensable... spring flowering accent" (Oehme), but this neat 1-3' grass also provides attractive pleated foliage; fine for part-shade, pond side or groundcover. PSh/Med-Wet
Semievergreen. One of the most beautiful grasses for moist areas or where it can be given a lot of garden water. Neat, usually dark green, narrow, arching foliage and tall, light inflorescences. Evergreen in all but the coldest areas and flowers in June and July.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Beautiful when covered with dew in the morning, this “Tufted Hair Grass” is a superb ornamental. It’s much valued for its neat, dark, evergreen foliage & for the cloud-like quality of its flowering stalks. A cool season grower, the tight basal tufts grow about 1’ tall & 2’ wide. The flowering stalks can grow to 3’ tall & form golden, billowy masses of the finest hair-like texture & are especially fabulous when massed. The dried stalks remain pretty & last well through the Winter. Deschampsia needs regular water & will turn brown if allowed to dry out. If you don’t mind it turning brown, it’s a good choice for planting under native oaks. Tolerates a fair amount of shade (though flowering will be reduced).

Gardening facts about Deschampsia cespitosa plant

How to Grow Deschampsia cespitosa

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • low - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2024 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved