Scientific Name
Deschampsia cespitosa (Aira cespitosa)

Common Name
Tufted hair grass; Tussock grass

Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Height: 20 to 36"
Light Requirements: Light to moderate shade; will grow in full sun but reduces quality of foliage and flower
Soil/Moisture: Prefers moist soil; some cultivars are drought tolerant
Form/Texture: Clump; densely tufted; mass of fine hair like leaves; upright open; fine texture
Inflorescence: Cloud-like green to gold inflourences in summer that turn to light golden straw color; lasts into winter; good as cut flower
Comments: Cool season grower; variable in flower and foliage; dark green leaves; evergreen; self seeds; salt tolerant
Cultivars:
Schottland (Scottish tufted hair grass): dark green very fine leaves; 2-3'; light green inflorescence; hardy zone 4

Goldstaub (golden hair grass): golden yellow inflorescence; hardy zone 4

Northern Lights: cream white striped leaves; 10'; does not flower; hardy zone 4

Goldschleier (Gold Veil): moist deep fertile soil; 1-2'; golden inflorescence June to frost; dark green fine textured leaves; zones 4-7

Bronzeschleier: 1-3'; fine texture; zones 4-9

Tautreger: 1-2'; dark green-blue very fine leaves; narrow green blue panicles turn golden in fall; zones 4-8

 

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© Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist
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