Deschampsia Golden Dew

Description

Deschampsia ‘Golden Dew’ – tufted hair grass

Botanical name: Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ (Golden Dew)
Common names: Tufted hair grass
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen perennial grass
Habit: Clump-forming, with airy flower clouds
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–75cm tall × 60cm spread (to about 1m in flower)
Foliage: Neat tufts of fine, dark green arching leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Airy clouds of tiny flower panicles from early summer, opening greenish and ripening to shimmering golden tones (June–September)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates heavier soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Open or lightly shaded; tolerant
Native range: Species native to Europe including the UK
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Deschampsia ‘Golden Dew’ is a native tufted hair grass forming neat mounds of fine foliage topped by airy clouds of tiny flowers that shimmer golden through summer. Beautiful in borders, drifts and light shade.

GardenAdvice notes

A clump-forming native grass, tufted hair grass forms a neat mound of fine dark green foliage from which rise vast, airy clouds of tiny flowers, opening greenish and ripening to shimmering gold. ‘Golden Dew’ (Goldtau) is a fine compact selection, and the diaphanous flower haze catches light and movement beautifully, glowing especially when backlit. Unusually among grasses, it tolerates partial shade.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade — it is one of the few ornamental grasses that flowers well in light shade. It tolerates heavier soils and reliable moisture. Space about 50–60cm apart. It looks especially effective planted in generous drifts.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. Leave the airy flowerheads to shimmer through summer and stand into winter, then comb out or cut back the old growth in late winter before new growth begins. Water while establishing. It self-seeds gently; remove seedheads before ripening if you wish to limit this. Divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring, or allow it to self-seed gently.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and robust, with few pests or diseases. An easy, reliable grass in sun or light shade.

Uses in the garden

Superb in mixed and prairie-style borders, in bold drifts, in light woodland-edge plantings and among perennials, where its shimmering flower haze adds light and movement; the airy plumes are lovely for cutting.

Wildlife value

The seedheads provide food for birds, and as a native grass it supports a range of insects, while the airy structure adds valuable habitat and shelter to naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

Tufted hair grass is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

The magic of ‘Golden Dew’ is the shimmering golden haze of its flowers, which is at its most beautiful when backlit by low morning or evening sun — so plant it in drifts where the light can shine through it. It’s one of the very few grasses that flowers well in light shade, making it invaluable for a spot where sun-lovers won’t perform.

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