Stipa arundinacea

Description

Stipa arundinacea – pheasant’s tail grass

Botanical name: Anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea)
Common names: Pheasant’s tail grass, New Zealand wind grass
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Evergreen grass
Habit: Arching, clump-forming, fountain-like
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–90cm tall × 90cm spread
Foliage: Arching evergreen foliage in green flushed with orange, bronze and copper, richest in autumn and winter
Flowers: Airy sprays of tiny purple-brown flowers on arching stems, summer into autumn
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy, to about −10°C); USDA zones 8–10
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Species native to New Zealand
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Stipa arundinacea (pheasant’s tail grass) is a beautiful evergreen with arching foliage flushed orange, bronze and copper, richest in autumn and winter, veiled in airy flower sprays. Superb for warm colour in sunny borders.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the loveliest evergreen grasses, pheasant’s tail grass forms an arching fountain of foliage that shifts through green, orange, bronze and copper, at its richest and warmest through autumn and winter. In summer it is veiled in a haze of tiny arching flowers. It brings glorious warm colour and movement, and self-seeds gently to weave through a planting.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in well-drained soil in full sun — sharp drainage and sun are essential, and it dislikes cold, wet conditions. Improve heavy ground with grit. Space appropriately for its size.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance and evergreen. Comb out dead leaves and flower stems in spring rather than cutting it back hard. Water while establishing. It self-seeds gently; remove seedheads before ripening if you wish to limit this. It can be short-lived, but its seedlings usually keep it going.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring; it self-seeds freely, so remove seedheads before ripening if you wish to limit this.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is winter wet. Otherwise little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Superb in sunny and lightly shaded borders, gravel gardens and naturalistic plantings, where its warm coppery tones and airy flowers light up autumn and winter; lovely near paths and where low sun can catch it.

Wildlife value

The airy flowerheads and seeds provide food for birds and add habitat and movement to naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

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

GardenAdvice tip

Pheasant’s tail grass earns its place for autumn and winter, when its arching foliage glows in warm orange and copper tones — so plant it where the low seasonal sun can backlight it and set it alight. It’s evergreen, so just comb out any dead material in spring rather than cutting it hard, and let it self-seed gently to knit through the border.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here