Stipa calamagrostis

Description

Stipa calamagrostis – needle grass

Botanical name: Achnatherum calamagrostis (syn. Stipa calamagrostis)
Common names: Needle grass, silver spear grass
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Deciduous grass
Habit: Arching, clump-forming, fountain-like
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–90cm tall × 90cm spread
Foliage: Fine, arching blue-green foliage forming a fountain-like mound; deciduous
Flowers: Long-lasting, feathery, silvery-buff plumes from early summer, arching gracefully and fading to straw (June–September)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Species native to southern and central Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Stipa calamagrostis, needle grass, forms graceful arching mounds smothered from early summer in long-lasting, feathery silvery-buff plumes. Elegant and reliable, it is superb in sunny, well-drained borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

A graceful, arching deciduous grass, needle grass is prized for its long season of soft, feathery, silvery-buff plumes, which arch out over the foliage from early summer and last for months, fading beautifully to straw. Reliable and hardy, it brings elegant movement and a long display to sunny, well-drained borders.

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. Enjoy the long-lasting plumes through summer and autumn, leave them standing for winter, then cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. Water while establishing; thereafter it is drought-tolerant. Divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

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, well-drained borders, gravel and prairie-style plantings, and among perennials, where its long-lasting feathery plumes add elegant movement over a long season.

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

Needle grass is one of the best value grasses for a long display — its soft, feathery plumes arch out from early summer and keep going for months, fading gracefully rather than collapsing. Give it a sunny, sharply drained spot, leave it standing for winter, and cut it back in late winter before the new growth appears.

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