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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

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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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' is a fine perennial grass with green foliage striped with yellow that becomes creamy white by summer. This variegation is overlaid with a pink flush when foliage is 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 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 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.

Garden photo gallery of Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

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

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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Photo of Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' flower by Averater

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By: Averater

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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Photo of Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' foliage by Averater

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By: Averater

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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Photo of Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' foliage by Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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By: Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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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