Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back, middle

Soil

Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Stipa gigantea is a striking evergreen grass, forming a spiky clump of arching deep green foliage from which a huge sheaf of long-stemmed, oat-like flower-heads erupts in mid-summer. When mature, these splay apart to make a wide fountain shape that almost hides the plant. The seedheads dry out naturally on the plant and persist into early winter, where they make a good architectural feature, especially when outlined in frost. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Stipa gigantea is an excellent alternative to pampas grass as a lawn specimen in small gardens, and is perfect for growing in a border or a gravel garden. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Divideyesyesyes

Stipa and wildlife

Stipa has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Stipa poisonous?

Stipa has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Stipa gigantea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement