Plant maidenhair grass by the pond

Stipa stands for Feather grasswhich says a lot about the feathery appearance of these plants. In German, Stipa tenuissima has a lot of very melodious names, such as angel hair, heronfeathergrass or just lady hair grass.

Maidenhairgrass is a sweet grass. The stalks are up to 80 cm long. However, since they usually incline, the plant is only about 60 cm high, which in no way harms its beauty. However, there are also dwarf varieties and particularly large ones.

Where does the maidenhairgrass feel particularly at home?

Maidenhairgrass is often only grown as an annual, then you can plant it in almost any place in your garden, but it should be light enough there. If you want to use the full life span of three to four years, then put your maidenhairgrass in a sunny place with light and well-drained soil. Stipa tenuissima fits very well in a prairie garden or in wild herbaceous borders.

In summer, the delicate, almost inconspicuous flowers of the Stipa tenuissima appear, which then sway gently in the wind, a nice contrast to the colorful flowering perennials in the neighborhood. Under no circumstances should you cut back the maidenhairgrass in autumn, otherwise you will miss an eye-catcher in your winter garden. If a pruning is necessary, wait until early spring.

Can I also plant my maidenhair grass by the pond?

Stipa tenuissima does not tolerate waterlogging, there is a risk of rot. Therefore, this plant is not directly suitable for pond planting. It is better to set your maidenhair grass a bit to the side, perhaps in the background of your pond, where it will not get "wet feet". You will enjoy this delicate plant longer than if you plant it directly on the edge of the pond.

The essentials in brief:

• hardy
• not very persistent
• Service life approx. 3 to 4 years
• sunny location
• slightly permeable soil
• no waterlogging
• do not fertilize
• do not cut until early spring