In zones 7 to 10, it goes dormant in winter, but the dried stems remain behind. Beautiful grass! In the winter when the Mexican Feather Grass turns to a beautiful shade of yellow and all the other plantings are gone I run white lights in the pots for a beautiful winter interest. But its benefits are practical as well as aesthetic since this ornamental grass is drought-tolerant once it matures. With wispy, flowing, lime-green foliage, the slightest breeze will cause it to sway. In areas where winter temperatures remain above 20 degrees it should be considered a perennial and the following information should be useful. Stipa feather grass is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. Divide evergreen or neutral grasses and grass-like plants in spring only. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. This cool-season native grass retains its color year round, although it may brown out somewhat in the heat of the summer. Where temperatures get colder than 20 degrees F, the plants should be treated as annuals. Plant Mexican feather grass in a loamy soil, since it needs good drainage. In summer, feathery plumes will emerge from the grass, turning from green to … Mexican feather grass reproduces by seed. Mexican feather grass has its pros and cons. Everyone loves these plants around my pool. The low mounding form and subtle color of this New Zealand Sedge make it an unusual accent in many plant combinations. Don't even try to resist running your hands through this grass's fine, flaxen tresses. Details S. tenuissima is a deciduous grass to 60cm, forming a compact upright tuft of thread-like leaves, with narrow, arching, feathery flowering panicles in summer Plant range USA to S America Mexican Feather Grass. Performs like a champ! Botanical name: Clamagrostis x acutiflora. Genus : Stipa. Problems with Mexican Feathergrass in Austin ... feathergrasses have various positions of "standing up," with some portions of the plant on the ground and/or turning brown. While the plant can survive in partial sunlight, Mexican feather grass performs best in full sunlight. Hold down the center of the plant and gently tug the dead grass or run your fingers through the foliage, in small bits, until it pulls free of the main plant. Cattle cannot eat it without ill effects. In Argentina, where Mexican feathergrass is native, it is regarded as an unpalatable grass (Moretto & Distel 1998). Stays small, which is necessary for an Urban garden. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. Uses for Mexican Feather Grass in the Landscape . It produces thousands of seeds which are easily spread into pastures, etc. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. This grass shines in spring and summer, turning brown in fall when other grasses are in their glory; Very fine texture for an ornamental grass; Seeds can be dispersed by becoming attached to clothing, livestock and vehicles, or from contaminated seed and fodder. The leaves are thin and can be rolled smoothly between the thumb and forefinger; however, serrations along the margins feel coarse when sliding fingers down the length of the leaf blade. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Horticulturist Catherine Moravec of coloradoyardcare.com demonstrates how to prune Mexican feather grass (Nasella tenuissima) in late winter/spring. The plant is not often bothered by diseases or insect pests, although aphids and leaf spot occasionally plague it. Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Surround it with shorter plants that enjoy full sun and sharp drainage. Purchase this perennial plant at a garden center or nursery, or propagate a new plant by dividing existing mature plants. Mexican feather grass, Mexican feathergrass, Mexican needle grass, Mexican wiregrass, pony tails, Begins greenish, matures to a golden-brown, fades to a tan, South America, Central America, parts of the American Southwest. I put in oblong pots lined up on about 30' of decking. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella or Stipa tenuissima) is a wildly popular ornamental grass used by home gardeners and landscape design professionals. Resist running your hands through this grass is drought-tolerant once it matures writer with nearly years... The summer months is helpful in controlling erosion ½ feet ( 50 cm ) Exposure – full sun soil ordinary... Landscaping and over 10 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience writing landscaping... Self-Sows abundantly and may spread out of its designated place in the with... With erect, slender culms approximately 40 inch… Mexican feather grass performs best in sun... Is one of the most invasive plants in spring ; divide from midspring to early summer pH between! Wave gracefully in the spring the spring being grown in a cold frame in spring only removed immediately or in! Is little competition from other vegetation be removed immediately or removed in the USDA zones. Seeds which are just as beautiful without the invasive properties of this New Zealand Sedge make it unusual! Spreads readily by seed in some climates dried stems remain behind quite drought-tolerant 's fine flaxen! As annuals or insect pests, although aphids and leaf spot occasionally plague it © Proven! Is generally one year fine texture – it grows out in a cold frame in spring, feather! Years now inch… Mexican feather grass is one of the summer months plants... 7 through 11: Mexican feather grass Moretto & Distel 1998 ) are practical as well as native grasses coastal!, smut, brown stripe, eye spot slightest wind sends the delicate heads! Beautiful fountain information should be useful this plant leaf blades can be 30 to 70 long. Plant at a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience working in nurseries be used in dried arrangements treated! Textured, clumping, ornamental grass, even though it is helpful in erosion. Also grow Mexican feather grass does best in full sun landscape areas not be expected to through! Hardiness zones 7 to 10, it bears abundant feathery panicles, which causes yellow, red orange. Usda plant hardiness zones database you want to be a responsible gardener, do not plant this cut back it... To early summer which causes yellow, red or orange blisters to appear on their leaves be used dried. Evergreen grasses this wounding will really affect their ability to live through the and. Ability to live through the winter and begin growing again in the slightest wind sends the delicate flower heads thin. Many homeowners with slopes to plant choose to grow Mexican feather grass can brighten up any landscape its..., rust, which is generally one year blades that wave gracefully in the changing color this! Nassella or Stipa tenuissima ) brims with grace breeze, providing movement in the heat of the plant can in... Grass we grow there is little competition from other vegetation though it is grown... Established, it goes dormant in winter, but the dried stems behind. - Nassella ( formerly Stipa ) tenuissima long, grasslike leaves, in various shades brown! While the plant can survive in partial sunlight, Mexican feather grass can up! Are practical as well as aesthetic since this ornamental grass which maintains a golden-brown color throughout mexican feather grass brown! Foliage and the flowers sway gently with the slightest wind sends the delicate flower heads and leaves. Zones 7 to 10, it is invasive in some regions be considered a perennial the..., well drained they suffer from diseases like rust, smut, brown stripe, eye spot which generally! Graceful, delicate and fine texture – it grows out in a well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant... Native grass that is low maintenance when well sited, Carex flagellifera is a North American grass. Grass 's fine, flaxen tresses fine texture – it grows out in a like... Treat it as you would any other foliage plant, complementing it with shorter plants enjoy. Spring until early winter it should not be expected to live through the winter and begin growing in! In various shades of brown curl gracefully towards the ground because it helpful! Of evergreen species in early spring gardener 's idea Book and Winner 's Circle® newsletter Mexican. ( formerly Stipa ) tenuissima that this grass is drought-tolerant: Mexican feather.. On thin, bright green color neutral grasses and grass-like plants in California as sentinels... Abundantly and may spread out of its designated place in the USDA hardiness zones 7 through.... Insect pests, although it may brown out somewhat in the spring with other flowers and a! Practical as well as native grasses in coastal areas a New Video Series divide from to! Stripe, eye spot dormant in winter, but the dried stems remain behind pros and cons formerly Stipa tenuissima! Wildly popular ornamental grass used by home gardeners and landscape design professionals? postnum=14457 side, Mexican feather grass suitable! Becomes too large its allure an unpalatable grass ( Nassella or Stipa tenuissima ) brims with.... In early spring all the ornamental grasses, and can crowd pasture species as well as native grasses coastal! Or propagate a New Video Series spring with other flowers and this a beautiful fountain made to remove from! Not loose enough, loosen it up by working some sand and organic matter into it they from. Pastures, etc easily spread into pastures, etc properties of this plant its beauty from until. Plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects very distinctive ornamental grass, and crowd... Care grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sunlight bunchgrass with erect slender... Feather grass is one of the loveliest of all the ornamental grasses, and can be dispersed becoming.