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    • Photo of Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

    Photo by Little Prince of Oregon

    Used with permission, all rights reserved.

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    Buy Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

    Also Known As

    • Deschampsia caespitosa 'Northern Lights'
    • Northern Lights Tufted Hair Grass
    • Variegated Tussock Grass

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 1'-3'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 4a-9b

    4"x 5” pot | $12

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

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    Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' plant details

    Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' is a deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green, pink, variegated and white foliage. In fall tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control, seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen green, pink, variegated and white
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: tan blooms in fall
    Uses: border plant, clumping, container plant, edging plant, woodland garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer, erosion, seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This striking! "fairy wand grass" is highly variegated with a pink blush on new growth in cool weather making it a lovely companion as an accent or massed for pond edge or part shade with ferns and hostas. PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Polite, easy-to-grow little clumping grass 10-15” tall and 15” wide. Beautiful in the border with fine evergreen foliage striped green and creamy white infused with rose in spring and when chilled in cooler months. Enjoys light shade and average garden soil that stays moist, adaptable to bog.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Northern Lights’ is an evergreen ornamental grass exhibiting green and cream-white foliage, with suffused rosy-pink tints in cooler weather. Ornamental Grasses are low maintenance and grow well in most soil types. They look beautiful, adding color, height, and movement to your garden. Tufted Hairgrass is an excellent companion plant with contrasting foliage.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Interesting clumps of variegated grassy foliage. This is a very new introduction and I haven't had much experience with it, but, as a rule they are idiot proof plants to grow. Rarely reverts. 6"-12" tall.

    By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    This fine perennial grass cultivar has green foliage striped with yellow that becomes creamy white by summer. This variegation is overlaid with striking pink tones when young and in cool weather. Great for accents, focal points and mass plantings. Best in sun to part shade in average to moist soil.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    This intriguing new variegated selection from Harlan Hamernik of Bluebird Nursery in Clarkston, Nebraska breaks all the rules for Deschampsias. The narrow leaf blades are banded longitudinally with green and gold, then blush showy pink toward the tips in early spring. A clumping form to 12? or less with an equal spread, this cultivar has not been known to flower. Use with other ornamental grasses in a place where it receives backlighting from late afternoon sun. Provide full sun in coastal gardens and some shade inland with moderate to regular water. Plants may develop rust along the coast during cool, foggy summers, but should recover when sunny weather returns. Hardy to 5F. Garden origin.

    By: Native Sons

    A dramatic variegated selection. So many colors. Thin slightly arching tapered blades in a tight clump.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    Add a little drama to the garden with 'Northern Lights'. Cream stripes run the length of the leaf blades and in the coldest weather, the cream is suffused with pink, adding a little warmth on a wintery day. To only 10". Might not flower in Zone 4.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Gardening facts about Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' plant

    How to Grow Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • seaside / salt tolerant
      • erosion control
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • variegated
      • white
      • pink
      • green

    • Flower Color

      • tan

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous
      • semi-evergreen

    • Texture

      • grassy

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