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Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)

Stipa tenuissima Photo/Illustration: Stephanie Fagan

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Stipa tenuissima STY-pah ten-yew-ISS-ih-mah Common Name: Mexican feather grass Genus: Stipa
No other grass exhibits quite the refinement of texture as this species. Its bright green foliage resembles delicate filaments that arise in elegant, vase-like clumps and spill outward like a soft fountain. All summer it bears a profusion of feathery panicles, which mature from foamy-green to blonde. It is native to the Americas.
 Care: Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Remove the old foliage of evergreen species in early spring.
 Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; divide from midspring to early summer.
 Problems: Damping off, rust, smut, brown patch, brown stripe, eye spot.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Adaptable
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant;Frost Tolerant
Characteristics Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Summer
Flower Color Brown Flower; Green Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Dried Flower, Naturalizing, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point, Suitable as Annual
Style Desert Garden, Meadow Garden, Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Grasses

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