- Botanical name: Stipa gigantea
- Common name: Ornamental grass
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Green
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
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.
How to grow Stipa gigantea
-
Plant size
2.5m height
1.2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Stipa gigantea and wildlife
Stipa gigantea has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Stipa gigantea poisonous?
Stipa gigantea has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
