Stipagrostis plumosa Seeds | Feather Grass
LATIN NAME: Stipagrostis plumosa
COMMON NAME: Feather Grass
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Feather Grass (Stipagrostis plumosa) is a grass in the grass family. Feather grass of dunes is silver plume of dry sand, and long, feathery awns catch light through warm season. Plant is a fine, graceful presence of dry bank and gravel bed. It is a plant of open, sunny, sharp-draining ground. Taken as a whole, it is a plant that repays a little attention many times over.
Science & Biotechnology
Stipagrostis plumosa sits in the grass family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Feather Grass for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Feather grass of dunes is a fine, graceful plant of dry bank and gravel bed. It has been written up in horticultural and ecological papers for silver plumes and sand-holding ways, and it is a fine, graceful plant of open, sunny, sharp-draining garden. Cut old plumes back in late winter and fresh leaves will come again from the crown. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Like the best garden herbs, it rewards growers twice: once in the garden with scent and pollinators, and again in the home as a traditional household herb.
Growing from Seed
Starting Feather Grass from seed is simple and satisfying. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. A spell of cool, moist conditions ahead of sowing brings the seed along nicely and supports even germination. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Feather Grass settles in quickly once it finds its footing. The only critical period is germination, when the compost must stay evenly moist.
Related Reading
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