Plant details
This is a very striking evergreen grass that forms a spiky clump of arching deep green foliage from which a huge sheaf of very long-stemmed, oat-like flower-heads erupts in mid-summer, up to 1.8m (6ft) high. When mature, these splay apart to make a wide fountain shape that almost hides the plant. The seed-heads dry out naturally on the plant and persist into early winter, where they make a good architectural feature, especially when outlined in frost. This is an excellent alternative to pampas grass as a lawn specimen in small gardens, and perfect in a border or a gravel garden. It is found growing wild in Spain and Portugal. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Stipa
Species: gigantea
Plant type: Hardy perennial
Flower colour: Light green
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Feature: Attractive seed-heads
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light, Moist
Hardiness: Hardy
Skill level: Beginner
Height: 250cm
Spread: 120cm
Time to divide plants: April to June
Flowering period: June to July
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