Stipa gigantea

Description

Stipa gigantea – giant oat grass

Botanical name: Stipa gigantea
Common names: Giant oat grass, golden oats, Spanish oat grass
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen grass
Habit: Basal mound with tall, airy flower stems
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 2–2.5m tall in flower × 1–1.2m spread
Foliage: A neat, semi-evergreen basal mound of narrow arching green leaves
Flowers: Magnificent tall, airy stems carrying large, shimmering oat-like flowerheads, golden with purple tints, early to midsummer, fading to gold and lasting for months (June onwards)
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 6–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Species native to Spain and Portugal
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Stipa gigantea, giant oat grass, forms a modest evergreen mound from which rise towering, airy stems carrying large, shimmering golden oat-like flowerheads. A magnificent, see-through specimen grass for sunny borders.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the most magnificent of all ornamental grasses, giant oat grass forms a surprisingly compact evergreen base from which rise towering, wiry stems topped with large, glistening, oat-like flowerheads that shimmer gold in the sun. Despite its height it is airy and transparent, so you see straight through it, making it a superb see-through specimen or focal point that catches every breath of wind and shaft of light.

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 largely evergreen at the base. Leave the flower stems standing for as long as they look good, often into winter, then cut them out; comb or tidy the evergreen base in spring rather than cutting it hard. Water while establishing. Avoid wet soil.

Propagation

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

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

Magnificent as a specimen or focal point, in sunny and gravel borders, and as a tall see-through veil towards the front or middle of a border, where its shimmering golden flowerheads can be admired against the light.

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

Giant oat grass is a showstopper — its towering golden oat-heads shimmer and sway high above a modest evergreen base, yet it’s so airy you can plant it near the front of a border and look straight through it. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, position it where low morning or evening light can set the flowerheads glowing, and leave them standing well into winter.

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