Deschampsia
Tufted Hair Grass
Wispy seed heads stretch in airy fans above finely cut, deep green tufted foliage. By planting Deschampsia in drifts, with a dark or solid background, its delicate, hazy quality is put to best effect. Try this one waterside, in a woodland setting or as an accent in the perennial bed. The 50 species in this genus are, or were, found primarily in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
The bright golden veil of nodding straw-colored flowers surely inspired this Deschampsia’s cultivar name. Dense forest green tussocks anchor slightly pendulous stems dressed with fine textured, ethereal inflorescences that guarantee a glowing performance especially when massed and set against dark-leafed woodies like Parrotia persica.
Blooms July–October
Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ (G-0556)
Each $8.25
Defined by narrow arching deep green foliage, a winsome sturdy mound propels emerald-hued stems, exploding into sheer sprays of distinctively hued, long-lasting yellow-green flowers. The lithe inflorescences exhibit warm bronze tones when mature and provide an enticing winter presence plus lend exquisite accents to bouquets. Smaller and more compact than other cespitosa species, this undemanding, all-purpose cool season grass develops a dense semievergreen habit that can be grouped along a pathway or sited among Echinops ‘Blue Glow’ and Phygelius ‘Peach Trombone’.
Blooms July–October
Size: 12" – 2' 0" high x 12" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
A Jelitto Seeds introduction, this petite Deschampsia sprouts a tight and tidy evergreen clump of slim silver-green blades that are extremely cold hardy. Wide frosty-white panicles lend glimmering ethereal accents above grass-like foliage, and later transmute warm chocolate hues upon maturity. Most striking when planted in sweeps, pest-free ‘Little Pixie’ tolerates shade, nourishes birds, and is ideal for small-scale spaces, wooded areas, wildlife gardens or along ponds and streams.
Blooms July–October
Size: 16" – 2' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.
Hardy to zone 2.
Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Schottland’ (G-0008)
Each $8.00
The silky, new light green flower heads of 'Schottland' invite a touch each time we pass by. One of the largest Deschampsias, this Scottish born selection spawns inflorescences that float nearly 3 ft. above a neat rounded clump of deep green foliage. Utilize as a specimen in a mixed border or in a more untamed arena.
Blooms July–December
Size: 3' 0" – 3-1/2' high x 2-1/2' wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Tardiflora’ (G-0526)
Each $8.00
This Karl Foerster innovation boasts small dreamy looking inflorescences, whose wide airy consortium sparkles in gold, silver and purplish shades. Topping abundant flowing panicles, they appear later than the species, mature to an amber color and linger most of the winter. Arching close-knit narrow blades, edged by in-rolled margins, compose the low growing emerald green tussock that makes a tidy verdant companion for Eryngium bourgatii and Aster asperulus.
Blooms July–December
Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
Each $8.00
Meandering across dry open wooded areas, slopes and grasslands in North America, Europe and Asia, this tight set semievergreen grass hosts a diminutive trim tussock of arching wire-thin deep green blades beneath wide frothy inflorescences. The minute purple and bronze flowers populate swaying diaphanous panicles, which mature to gold after the seed ripens and are prized by floral arrangers as well as cardinals, finches and snow buntings. Withstanding drought and shade, Crinkled Hair Grass is an attractive formidable candidate for well-drained woodland gardens, borders or the rockery.
Blooms July–October
Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 12" – 18" wide.
Hardy to zone 4.
