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Gardening Guides
Feathery Tufted Hairgrass Beautifies Gardens Coast to Coast
Deschampsia cespitosa offers attractive foliage and habitat for butterflies
Native to the east and west coasts of North America and continents beyond, highly ornamental tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), with its airy beauty, merits use in many landscapes. A grouping of this grass softens even the roughest edges of a garden. It provides habitat benefits to several species of North American butterflies, including the umber skipper.
Tufted hairgrass grows en masse along the left side of this path at the New York Botanical Garden. Wavy hairgrass (D. flexuosa) grows on the right side.
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soils; thrives in clay
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks from summer through late fall
When to plant: Early spring in areas with winter temperatures regularly below freezing; late October to February in Mediterranean-climate areas, as in most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Distinguishing traits. Tufted hairgrass is a perennial bunchgrass with delicate flower stalks that rise 2 to 3 feet above neatly clumping leaves. The wispy, hair-like pieces that emerge out of the floret are called the awn, and the massing of awns gives the grass its hairlike appearance. The flower stalks emerge green, with purple tinged florets, and transition to tawny and bronze tones toward autumn.
Caterpillars of several North American butterfly species, including the umber skipper, rely on the leaves of this plant for food and habitat.
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soils; thrives in clay
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks from summer through late fall
When to plant: Early spring in areas with winter temperatures regularly below freezing; late October to February in Mediterranean-climate areas, as in most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Distinguishing traits. Tufted hairgrass is a perennial bunchgrass with delicate flower stalks that rise 2 to 3 feet above neatly clumping leaves. The wispy, hair-like pieces that emerge out of the floret are called the awn, and the massing of awns gives the grass its hairlike appearance. The flower stalks emerge green, with purple tinged florets, and transition to tawny and bronze tones toward autumn.
Caterpillars of several North American butterfly species, including the umber skipper, rely on the leaves of this plant for food and habitat.
Golden dew tufted hairgrass grows in the background of this waterfront garden in the Pacific Northwest. Roemer’s fescue (Festuca roemeri) grows in the foreground.
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful massed, especially in areas where soft afternoon light can dance in the delicate awns. Try to cluster at least three plants to achieve a full effect. In partly shady garden spots, try massing tufted hairgrass with native ferns for gorgeous foliage contrast.
Utilize native shrubs and sculptural succulents with contrasting evergreen foliage and color nearby for optimal effect — for California gardeners, these could include coastal agave (Agave shawii), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) or California lilac (Ceanothus spp.) shrubs.
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful massed, especially in areas where soft afternoon light can dance in the delicate awns. Try to cluster at least three plants to achieve a full effect. In partly shady garden spots, try massing tufted hairgrass with native ferns for gorgeous foliage contrast.
Utilize native shrubs and sculptural succulents with contrasting evergreen foliage and color nearby for optimal effect — for California gardeners, these could include coastal agave (Agave shawii), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) or California lilac (Ceanothus spp.) shrubs.
Planting notes. Tufted hairgrass can be started from seed or a 1-gallon container plant. Many attractive garden cultivars have been introduced into the horticultural trade. If you are interested in supporting local native-plant DNA to promote biodiversity, or your garden is at a high elevation, seek out your region’s subspecies at your local native-plant nursery.
Ripe seed heads shatter at maturity and naturally fall away. This grass can be sheared to the ground in late winter to rejuvenate it in spring.
More
Add Softness, Light and Movement With Ornamental Grasses
See more Great Design Plants
Ripe seed heads shatter at maturity and naturally fall away. This grass can be sheared to the ground in late winter to rejuvenate it in spring.
More
Add Softness, Light and Movement With Ornamental Grasses
See more Great Design Plants
Botanical name: Deschampsia cespitosa
Common names: Tufted hairgrass, tussock grass
Origin: Native to many states in the U.S.; roughly six subspecies are native to North America, and additional subspecies are native to Europe, Asia and South America
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Wet sites, meadows, stream banks, coastal meadows and marshes, forests, alpine areas
Water requirement: Moderate to regular water in the hottest months will help keep this grass looking good year-round; may require less supplemental irrigation in areas with ample coastal fog
Light requirement: Partial sun in hotter interior sites; full sun near the coast
Mature size: 2 feet wide and up to 3 feet tall in bloom