Where graceful grasses with delicate inflorescences gently sway in the summer wind, feather grass unfolds its picturesque magic. For this natural display of splendor, Stipa want a spot in the garden in full sun. The following answers to frequently asked questions reveal which other aspects are important in cultivation.
care tips
It does not require extensive gardening experience to meet the frugal demands of feather grass correspond to. How to properly care for Stipa:
- Outdoors, only water with normal tap water during summer drought
- Young feather grass in April fertilize with compost, horn shavings and some rock dust
- Before the first frost, tie the eyrie together in a loose tuft
- Cover the root disk with autumn leaves or needle brushwood
- Cut off to 10 cm above the ground in February/March or comb out with your hands
In the pot, water Stipa moderately but regularly. The filigree beauty is fertilized from April to August with diluted liquid fertilizer. Cover the bucket with fleece in winter and place it on wood. Tie the ornamental grass together here as well and only cut it off close to the ground in early spring.
Continue reading
Which location is suitable?
In full sun to shade you can look forward to the fluffy inflorescences in summer. The more sun the angel hair can soak up, the more luxuriantly the feathery awns unfold. Furthermore, the location should be surrounded by air and protected so that rainwater dries quickly and winter does not affect the nests too much. A well-drained, sandy-humic and lean soil guarantees vital growth.
Continue reading
The right planting distance
The choice of an adequate planting distance largely determines the optical effect of feather grass. In order for the desired, airy, light appearance to be visible, these distances are correct:
- Giant Feather Grass: 70-80 cm
- Egret Feathergrass and Tufted Feathergrass: 50-60 cm
- Angel hair and fluffy feather grass: 30-40 cm
As a rule of thumb for other Stipa species, take the expected growth width as the basis for the ideal planting distance.
What soil does the plant need?
Welcome your feather grass with a loose, airy, sandy, humus-rich and nutrient-poor soil. The soil should be rich in lime and poor in water so that the magnificent feather grass feels in good hands. These soil conditions are typical in rock and steppe gardens or in sunny ones perennial bed with poor substrate.
When is flowering time?
Stipa develops the graceful, feathery, airy inflorescences from June to August. It is characteristic of this ornamental grass that the graceful awns do not sprout on all stalks. The evergreen, dense clumps create a lush background for the decorative flowers. Although the spring blossoms initially lose their beauty in autumn, do not cut them off. Covered with frozen hoarfrost and snow crystals, the withered awns glisten under the winter sun to set decorative accents in the otherwise deserted garden.
Cut feather grass properly
Feather grass relies on its stalks for winter protection in order to get through the cold season in good health. Therefore, do not cut Stipa in the fall. Instead, tie the clumps together with sisal in loose tufts so that no moisture gets inside. In February or March, cut the grass down to a hand’s breadth above the ground. The most delicate beauties, such as angel hair, are only combed out with the hands.
Continue reading
Water feather grass
Feather grass prefers sandy, dry soil and cannot stand waterlogging at all. Therefore, only water the green beauty with normal tap water when it is dry in summer. Since the substrate in the bucket dries out quickly, there is a regular need for watering in this case. If the surface dries 2-3 cm deep, keep watering on the root ball until the first drops run out of the bottom opening.
Fertilize feather grass properly
In the first 2-3 years, feather grass in the bed willingly accepts an organic starter fertilization in April. Put compost, horn shavings or bark humus on the root disc, rake in the material lightly and then water. Only fertilize adult Stipa if there are obvious signs of deficiency, such as pale colors or stunted flowering. In pot culture, fertilize with diluted liquid fertilizer every 30 days from April to August, unless the plant has previously been repotted into pre-fertilized substrate.
hibernate
Feather grass is very hardy. Nevertheless, we recommend protection against cold wetness to protect the sensitive heart of the eyrie from rotting. Before the first frost, tie Stipa together with sisal in a loose tuft. Pile up the root disk with autumn leaves or needle brushwood. Never cut off the sapling grasses before winter, but only cut back close to the ground in February/March.
Grow Feather Grass
The propagation of Stipa succeeds smoothly by division in spring. To do this, dig out the eyrie to place it on a solid surface. With the spade or a knife, divide the plant into segments that have at least 3-4 shoots. At the new location, place the Stipa parts in the prepared soil and water them.
In contrast, the sowing as complicated, laborious and delicate. The wafer-thin seeds are cold germs that cannot be brought to life without stratification.
Feather grass in the pot
In pots, delicate Stipa species create a dreamy ambience on the balcony and terrace. Choose a bucket with a volume of at least 5 liters and an opening in the bottom for water drainage. Spread pebbles or shards of pottery on top for drainage before pouring in a lean, calcareous, well-drained substrate. Water moderately, because feather grass does not tolerate waterlogging. From April to August, apply a diluted concentration of liquid fertilizer every 30 days. In winter, cover the pot with fleece or raffia mats and slide a block of wood underneath. Feather grass in the pot is only cut in February/March up to 10 cm above the ground.
Which species are suitable for the garden?
The wonderful genus of feather grasses gives us several enchanting species. We have put together a selection of gardenable Stipa for you here:
- Fluffy Feather Grass (Stipa pennata): Compact species with delicate summer awns with dense clump formation; 25-50cm
- Angel hair (Stipa tenuissima): Hair-thin leaves are accompanied by silvery, later golden-yellow flowers; 30-50cm
- Tussock feather grass (Stipa capillata): Forms stiff, upright, grey-green clumps with awns 20 cm long; 50-80cm
- Feather play, Heron Feather Grass (Stipa barbata): Elegant species with gracefully curved, feathery inflorescences from July; 50-80cm
- Giant Feather Grass (Stipa gigantea): Ideal for the large garden with fragrant, shiny golden awns; 60-180cm
The New Zealand feather grass (Stipa arundinacea) scores with the most beautiful autumn colors, which sets the scene with golden-yellow-orange stalks.
