1. * Tufted Hairgrass – Deschampsia cespitosa
(des-CHAMP-see-uh sess-pit-OH-suh)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Widespread in temperate portions of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South
America including CA northern coast, Sierra Nevadas & local mountain ranges); mountain meadows,
streambanks, coastal marshes, moist areas in forests.
Native to:
Growth characteristics: perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 2-3 ft.
mature width: 1-2 ft.
Cool season perennial bunching grass. Forms low, dense tussock. Leaves are deep green, fine
(almost hair-like), attractive.
Nice, neat-looking bunchgrass. Can be grown as an ornamental
grass or bunched to form a lawn-like meadow. The available cultivars are European types; buy the
species from reputable CA native plant source.
Blooms July-Aug in S. Bay. Flowering stalks are cloud-like above the leaves;
green-gold turning to brown (even purple-tinged). Attractive and showy even through winter. Make
nice cut-flower for floral arrangements.
Blooms/fruits:
Many uses in the garden. May be planted densely as a ground cover or
meadow-like lawn. Nice clumped in mixed beds, as an accent plant. Good in moist areas around
ponds. Makes a neat border plant. Should do fine in large pots, planters. Seeds are edible.
Uses in the garden:
Sensible substitute for: Non-native lawn grasses and ornamental grasses/sedges.
Good habitat plant: provides nesting material and seeds for bird food.
small birds and animals.
Attracts:
Also cover for
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Best in light to moderate shade
Any well-drained; pH 5-7.5 (slightly acid to neutral)
Regular water is best (moderate to occasional); prefers a slightly moist soil
None needed; an organic mulch would be fine
Cut old foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. Flowering
stems may be removed in fall or left for winter interest No serious insect/disease problems. Will
re-seed under good conditions, but not aggressive (just remove the seedlings).
Management:
Propagation: from seed: yes; fairly easy in prepared beds or pots
by divisions: in winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19
2/1/07
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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