What is Stipa tenuissima?
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) is an exceptionally lovely and graceful ornamental grass which exhibits silvery-green thread-like leaves in late spring, that sway gracefully in the slightest breeze, delicately softening any landscapes.
What is stipa grass?
Among the most beautiful and graceful ornamental grasses, Stipa (Feather Grass) are evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses, forming tufted clumps of arching, linear leaves. In summer and fall, they enjoy narrow panicles with long awns which add to the beauty and translucency of their inflorescences.
Does stipa grass turn brown in winter?
Stipa is a neutral grass. Where temperatures get colder than 20 degrees F, the plants should be treated as annuals. Once the grass turns brown it can either be removed immediately or removed in the spring. It should not be expected to live through the winter and begin growing again in the spring.
How do you propagate Stipa tenuissima?
Alternatively they make a useful winter food source for finches and other seed-eating birds. Grow Stipa tenuissima in well-drained soil in full sun. It works well in a mixed border among herbaceous plants and other grasses. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer.
Is Stipa a perennial?
Growing Stipa Grass Plants Purchase this perennial plant at a garden center or nursery, or propagate a new plant by dividing existing mature plants.
Is Mexican feather grass annual or perennial?
perennial grassMexican feather grass (Nassella or Stipa tenuissima) brims with grace. The slightest wind sends the delicate flower heads and thin leaves of this perennial grass into motion. Native to North American drylands, Mexican feather grass thrives in quick-draining, lean soil and is quite drought-tolerant.
Does Mexican feather grass come back every year?
0:536:42How to Cut Back Mexican Feather Grass in Spring - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd yeah until about March or so it is so it's already produced so much growth for that year thatMoreAnd yeah until about March or so it is so it's already produced so much growth for that year that you're gonna have a really hard time cutting.
Does Mexican feather grass survive winter?
Mexican feather grass is one of the loveliest of all the ornamental grasses, and retains its beauty from spring until early winter. Mexican feather grass is smaller than many ornamental grasses, and will be about 30 inches tall at maturity.
When should Stipa tenuissima be cut back?
Grow Stipa tenuissima in full sun and well drained soil. Comb through in spring or early summer to remove any dead growth. If the plant is flopping or beginning to look messy, cut back hard in late spring or early summer.
What happens if you don't Cut back ornamental grasses?
What Happens If You Don't Cut Back the Ornamental Grasses? As mentioned above, you will find that the green is starting to grow through the brown. One problem that will create is that the brown will start creating seeds. Once grass has created seeds, there is a very good chance that the grass will die out.
Is Stipa tenuissima invasive?
Mexican feather grass is known to sway gently in the breeze, and is coloured green and yellow with small flowers that bloom in the summer months. It's an attractive plant but, as we will discover, it is considered to be an invasive species.
What ornamental grass comes back every year?
Perennial ornamental grasses are an incredible addition to your landscaping for many reasons. They provide visual interest, many grow large and can fill empty spaces, and they return year after year. Perennial ornamental grasses include Miscanthus, Pink Muhly Grass, and Pampas Grass, just to name a few.
Does Stipa tenuissima self seed?
Stipa tenuissima (often sold as Nasella tenuissima) produces abundant feathery panicles in summer. For a naturalistic effect, plant it among with perennials near the front of a border. It self-seeds readily - look out for little tufts around your garden.
Will Mexican feather grass spread?
Mexican Feather Grass Named Invasive It produces tens of thousands of seeds, which are dispersed by wind, water or contaminated soil – as well as via automobiles and animal droppings. The seed-bank can persist for more than four years and the plant commonly self-sows in California.
How long does Stipa tenuissima take to grow?
Germination may be slow and erratic. Seedling appear 14-42 days. Remove cover when seedlings appear.
Is Stipa tenuissima poisonous to dogs?
Stipa tenuissima has no toxic effects reported.
Do you need to cut back Mexican feather grass?
Mexican feather grass doesn't really need pruning, but you may want to trim away dead flowers and overgrown stems at the end of the season so you tidy them up for dormancy. Use a clean, sharp garden shear and make sure to clear away the debris so that the detritus doesn't accidentally reseed.
Will Mexican feather grass spread?
Mexican Feather Grass Named Invasive It produces tens of thousands of seeds, which are dispersed by wind, water or contaminated soil – as well as via automobiles and animal droppings. The seed-bank can persist for more than four years and the plant commonly self-sows in California.
Does Mexican feather grass need full sun?
Mexican Feather Grass requires dry soil and full sun, and it is very drought tolerant. Nassella tenuissima is especially spectacular planted in decorative containers. It is native to the Southwest US, Mexico and Argentina where it inhabits dry areas.
How do you maintain Mexican grass?
MEXICAN GRASS Do not add extra water and fertilizer as an alternative to sunlight as it will only lead to diseases and fungus in the lawn. Focus on the branches at the bottom and middle areas of the tree by trimming the large ones blocking the sunlight.
How to grow Stipa tenuissima?
Grow Stipa tenuissima in well-drained soil in full sun. It works well in a mixed border among herbaceous plants and other grasses. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer.
Is Stipa tenuissima perennial?
Stipa tenuissima is a neat, compact, perennial grass, bearing closely packed, stiff, thread-like stems forming a strongly horizontal shape. In summer, masses of elegant pale feathery seed-heads are held above the foliage. These can be cut and dried when first opened for use in winter arrangements indoors. Alternatively they make a useful winter ...
Assessment (s)
Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.
Weed Management Notes
No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site .
Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles
PlantRigh update: Nursery survey and plant list. Falzone, Stephanie. Vol 25, Issue 3
Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations
Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.
What is the name of the grass that looks like grasses?
Evergreen or neutral grasses are usually plants that look like grasses but aren't actually classified as grasses, they are generally called grass-like plants. Divide evergreen or neutral grasses and grass-like plants in spring only. Evergreen grasses don't ever go dormant. Dividing plants wounds them to some degree.
When does tan bloom in California?
Tan flowers on thin, bright green foliage in late summer; moves in the slightest breeze. Not recommended for California gardens where it has been identified as invasive.
Where does Stipa tenuissima come from?
Also known as pony tail grass, Mexican feather grass or Texas needle grass, Stipa tenuissima hails from mountainous areas of Texas and Mexico.
How to grow Stipa tenuissima?
Grow Stipa tenuissima in full sun and well drained soil. Comb through in spring or early summer to remove any dead growth. If the plant is flopping or beginning to look messy, cut back hard in late spring or early summer. More on growing Stipa tenuissima: How to grow ornamental grasses.
Can stipa tenuissima be cut back?
It does, however have a tendency to flop in heavy soil and the foliage can become flattened by heavy rain. If the plant begins to look very messy, cut it back in late spring or summer and it should resprout.
Is Stipa tenuissima a good plant for a garden?
Stipa tenuissima is an incredibly useful plant in the garden, as it combines well with pretty much all other plants – other grasses, perennials and annuals. Dotted throughout a sunny border, it can unify a planting scheme. It’s an excellent choice for a gravel garden, a naturalistic or prairie border, a coastal garden or a contemporary urban garden. It also works well as ground cover and grows very well in pots. It’s very low maintenance, drought tolerant and is rarely affected by pests and diseases.
Is Stipa tenuissima invasive?
In parts of the US Stipa tenuissima is considered invasive, thanks to its ability to self seed. In UK gardens, it is much less of a problem but you may find it popping up in cracks in paving, in pots, or in other parts of your garden.
Who wrote the pros and cons of ornamental grass?
The pros and cons of a popular ornamental grass. Written by. David Beaulieu. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process.
What is Mexican feather grass?
Because the dense, fountain-shaped clumps of Mexican feather grass stems have a fuzzy appearance, they soften hardscape features in the landscape and make them more welcoming. For this purpose, it is especially effective to grow several of the plants in a line to form a border (for example, along a patio). Its light color (the leaves are a silvery green to lime-green) makes it a good foil for darker plants, for which the plant can be used as a backdrop. It is also a good plant to use in borders for cottage gardens .
Is Mexican feather grass drought tolerant?
But its benefits are practical as well as aesthetic since this moderate-growing ornamental grass is drought-tolerant once it matures. Mexican feather grass seedlings do best when planted in the spring. On the negative side, Mexican feather grass is invasive in some regions. In regions where the plant is invasive, ...
Can Mexican feather grass survive in partial sun?
While the plant can survive in partial sunlight, Mexican feather grass performs best in full sunlight.
Is Mexican feather grass invasive?
Invasive Species. Detracting from its usefulness is the fact that Mexican feather grass is an invasive plant in certain parts of the United States ( in California, for example, where it is also a fire hazard), even though it is native to other parts of the United States (New Mexico and Texas).
What is a stipa?
Stipa arundinacea (New Zealand Wind Grass) Gorgeous, fast growing, tough as nails, Anemanthele lessoniana or Stipa arundinacea (Pheasant's Tail Grass) is an elegant and impressive ornamental grass that has become a favorite of landscape designers and gardeners. Read More. Add to Collection. Add to Any Collection.
What is a stipa ichu?
Slow-growing, Stipa ichu (Peruvian Feather Grass) is a gorgeous and impressive perennial grass forming dense clumps of upright to slightly arching, bright green leaves. They turn into attractive shades of pale buff and gold in the fall and persist for months, adding bristling color to the dull winter landscape.
What is New Zealand wind grass?
Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand Wind Grass) Gorgeous, fast growing, tough as nails, Anemanthele lessoniana or Stipa arundinacea (Pheasant's Tail Grass) is an elegant and impressive ornamental grass that has become a favorite of landscape designers and gardeners. Read More.
What is purple needle grass?
The state grass of California, Nassella pulchra (Purple Needle Grass) is a densely tufted, upright perennial bunch grass with smooth to finely hairy, long green leaves. In early to mid summer, it boasts conspicuously long, twice-bent awns, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), that extend from the tip of each of the flowers.
Where is silver feather grass native to?
Native to southern Europe, Stipa barbata (Silver Feather Grass) is an exceptionally beautiful and graceful perennial grass. Forming a dense clump of slender and upright arching foliage, this shimmering grass exhibits extraordinary, soft, silky silvery awns. Read More. Add to Collection. Add to Any Collection.
Do stipa grasses grow in full sun?
Rustling in the wind and animating your plantings, whether in containers, mixed herbaceous borders or rock gardens, these full sun grasses are easy to grow. Compare All Stipa - Feather Grasses.
Is stipa grass perennial?
Stipa - Feather Grasses. Among the most beautiful and graceful ornamental grasses, Stipa (Feather Grass) are evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses, forming tufted clumps of arching, linear leaves. In summer and fall, they enjoy narrow panicles with long awns which add to the beauty and translucency of their inflorescences.
