DESCHAMPSIA CESPITOSA / TUFTED HAIR GRASS

DESCHAMPSIA CESPITOSA / TUFTED HAIRGRASS

A Native Ornamental Grass with Graceful Foliage and Flowering Plumes

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as Tufted Hairgrass, is a native perennial grass admired for its fine-textured, arching green leaves and airy flowering plumes that rise above the foliage in summer. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, Tufted Hairgrass adds movement, texture, and seasonal interest to meadows, naturalized landscapes, and perennial borders. Its clump-forming habit makes it an excellent choice for erosion control and groundcover in wet areas.

Why Choose Tufted Hairgrass?

Ornamental & Textured: Arching foliage and delicate flower plumes create visual interest and movement.
Native & Wildlife Friendly: Provides habitat and cover for insects, birds, and small wildlife.
Moisture Tolerant: Performs well in moist to wet soils, ideal for rain gardens and naturalized plantings.
Low Maintenance: Long-lived, hardy, and adaptable to a variety of soils.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green, fine-textured, arching leaves.
Flower Color: Airy, feathery tan to light brown plumes in summer.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 2–4 feet tall and 1–3 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–8.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loam, and sandy conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 2–4 feet tall, 1–3 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Clump-forming perennial grass with upright stems and airy flower plumes.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8.
Flowering: Summer with feathery tan to light brown plumes.

Ideal Uses:

Meadows & Naturalized Landscapes: Adds texture, movement, and native appeal to large plantings.
Borders & Perennial Beds: Provides vertical interest and softens garden edges.
Wetlands & Rain Gardens: Ideal for moist soils and naturalized water features.
Wildlife Gardens: Supports insects, birds, and small wildlife.

Tufted Hairgrass is a graceful and ecologically valuable native grass. Its airy plumes, fine-textured foliage, and adaptability to moist soils make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, meadows, and wildlife-friendly gardens.