Hair Grass

Deschampsia

Deschampsia caespitosa ( Tufted Hair Grass )
A fast growing, finely textured grass, forming a semi-evergreen ( evergreen zones 7 to 9 ) foliage clump reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 5 feet. It is native to North America ( from far northern Alaska to Nunuvat to Greenland; south to California to South Dakota to North Carolina ) as well as northern Eurasia. It is critically endangered in Indiana and Kentucky. Threatened in New Jersey. It was once widespread but localized throughout Pennsylvania though it now threatened in that state and completely absent from the middle. The Tufted Hair Grass is a cool season grass that grows mostly during spring and fall though remaining green during summer.
It is an excellent choice for mass plantings on wet sites.
The deep green leaves are very narrow, up to 0.2 inches wide.
The pale purplish-green flower panicles up to 10 inches in length, appear during mid-summer.
They are followed by loose, airy, hazy seed panicles, reaching up to 6 feet high.
This grass remains attractive during autumn and winter.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( likely 1 or 2 for seed source from the Northwest Terr. & northeast Alberta ) in sun or partial shade ( may need protection from hot afternoon sun ) on moist, well drained soil. Very soil tolerant including wet clays. Cut back ( to 1/3 height - more may damage the crown ) very early during spring before new growth begins. Dividing should also be done very early in spring.

* photos taken on Jul 17 2017 in Gatineau, Quebec

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken on Aug 7 2014 in Elkridge, MD

* excellent video found on Youtube


'Bronze Veil'
Also called 'Bronzeschleier'.
Forms a tufted evergreen clump up to 4.5 x 5.5 ( rarely over 3 x 2.5 ) feet, topped with bronze-yellow inflorescences up to 4.5 feet during autumn.
The foliage is glossy rich mid-green.

* photos taken on July 30 2013 in Grand Bend, Ontario

'Golden Dew'
Moderate growing, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet.
The foliage is deep green.
The airy masses of golden-yellow flowers appear during early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 9.

* photos taken on July 10 2023 @ Collingwood Arboretum, Collingwood, ON

* photos taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Gold Dust'
Forms a tufted evergreen clump up to 2 x 4 feet, topped with yellow flower inflorescences up to 5 feet during autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

'Gold Veil'
Reaches up to 2 feet with bright yellow inflorescences.

'Golden Pendant'
Reaches up to 3 feet with golden-yellow inflorescences.

'Northern Lights'
Forms a foliage clump up to 1.5 x 2 feet, it does not flower.
The highly attractive foliage is boldly variegated with a white margin that turns to pink during fall and winter.

'Schottland ( Scottish Tufted Hair Grass )
Forms a tufted, deep green, evergreen clump up to 3.5 x 5 feet, topped with giant, bright green, airy inflorescences up to 5.5 feet during autumn.

'Tardiflora'
Reaches up to 3 feet with flower inflorescences borne during late summer.

Deschampsia flexuosa ( Tufted Hair Grass )
Reaches up to 1 x 1 foot, that is native to eastern North America ( from far northwest Minnesota to the north shore of Lake Superior to Haliburton, Ontario to central Quebec to Labrador, Newfoundland and Greenland; south to Wisconsin to central Tennessee to North Carolina ). It is endangered in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Kentucky. It is found on rocky open woodland.
The leaf blades are up to 8 inches in length. The fine-textured foliage is bright green.
The golden-yellow flower inflorescences, up to 4.8 inches in length and up to 3.5 feet high are borne during mid to late summer.
An excellent groundcover and looks great planted with heather.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( 2 & 3 on very protected sites ) in full sun to partial shade on acidic moist soil though it is tolerant of temporary drought.