Deschampsia spp.
Overview
Deschampsia spp. is a genus of about 30 cool-season perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, found in cool-temperate and mountain regions across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including damp meadows, moorland, woodland edges, and coastal turf. They form dense, narrow-leaved tufts of arching, dark green, semi-evergreen foliage, mostly 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) high, from which slender flowering stems rise 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall. In early to midsummer the stems open into broad, airy panicles of tiny spikelets that catch the light, in tints of silvery green, gold, and purplish bronze that fade to straw as seed ripens. The tufted hair grass D. cespitosa is the species most often grown and tolerates heavy, wet, and clay soils that many ornamental grasses dislike. The plants grow in full sun to partial shade and prefer steady moisture, becoming sparse and short-lived on hot, dry ground. They self-seed freely, which can spread them beyond their intended place. The clumps and lasting flower heads are grown in borders, meadows, and naturalistic plantings, and the dried panicles hold through autumn into winter.
Native Range
Found across cool-temperate and mountainous regions of both hemispheres, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, in damp meadows, bogs, woodland, and coastal grassland.Suggested Uses
Grown in borders, prairie and meadow plantings, rain gardens, and damp woodland edges for airy summer flower heads and dense clump form. It suits mass plantings, pond margins, and naturalistic schemes, and the dried panicles are used in arrangements.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early to midsummer, roughly June to August. The airy panicles open over several weeks and shift from green and bronze tones to straw as seed ripens. The dried flower heads persist on the plant into autumn and winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
silvery green to purplish bronze, fading to strawFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soil with a pH of 5.0-7.0; the tufted hair grass also tolerates heavy clay and seasonally wet ground. Steady moisture suits the plants, which thin out and grow short-lived on hot, dry sites. They are hardy through cold winters, to about USDA zone 4, and stay semi-evergreen in mild climates. Plants self-seed readily, so removing spent heads limits unwanted seedlings. Clumps can be divided in spring to renew older plants. No heavy feeding is needed.Pruning
Old foliage and spent flower stems are cut back to near ground level in late winter before new growth begins. Combing or raking out dead blades during the season keeps the semi-evergreen clumps tidy. Spent panicles can be removed earlier to reduce self-seeding.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons