Stipa barbata Tweet

Genus: Stipa

Common Name: Silver feather grass

Latin Name: Stipa barbata

Variety:

Family Name: Gramineae / Poaceae

Plant Description:

A really graceful, ornamental grass which brings an element of texture and movement to your garden as the seed heads dance in the breeze.
The leaves are green in summer and turn orange and red in autumn.
They are an attractive and slightly unusual addition to shrub and mixed borders.
Dried inflorescences are striking when used in flower arrangements.

Latin Name Explanation:

Stipa derives its generic name from the velvety texture of the flower panicles ('stipa' is Latin for 'tow').

Preferred Aspect: Sun (partial shade)

Height: 50cm - 1 m

Spread: 1m-1.5m

Form: Deciduous

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Grown Height: 50cm - 1 m

Grown Spread: 1m-1.5m

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Likes Soil Type:

Any reasonably fertile soil
Chalky Loam
Loam
Sandy
Sandy Loam

Does not thrive in Soil Type:

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Preferred Aspect: Sun (partial shade)

Primary Flower Colour: White

Primary Foliage Colour: Red

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Period of Interest

Planting Period

Pruning Period

Element of Interest:

Moves in the Wind
Seed Heads


Likes PH: Alkaline - neutral

Does not thrive in PH:

Moisture Level: Well drained soil

Growth Rate: Vigorous

After Care Required: Water Well After Planting


Work Involved: Can Withstand Neglect

Fragrance: Not Scented

Suitable for Small Garden:

Does it need staking?:

Plant for RHS Identification Course:

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Specific Planting:

Plant in a sunny site on any reasonably well drained soil.
Ensure the soil is free from weeds particularly creeping weeds such as couch grass, bind weeds and ground elder which are difficult to control once the Stipa is planted. Also don't plant near carpeting plants such as thymes.
Container grown plants can be planted at any time of year.
Submerge the roots into a bucket of water for an hour before planting and leave to drain.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball, fork the base to loosen the soil and work in plenty of organic matter.
Sprinkle a handful of bonemeal around the base of the hole for autumn to winter plantings, or plenty of moist compost during spring to summer plantings.
Backfill the hole ensuring soil is firmed carefully around the roots, and the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Firm the plant in using your heel or hands.
This ensures good soil and root contact and prevents your plant being blown over in a wind. After planting, water well to settle the soil around the roots.
This again ensures the soil makes good contact with the roots and gives your plant a good start in its new surroundings.
Once the plant has taken hold it tends to be drought tolerant.

Specific Care:

To really thrive they do like a position in full sun and in medium to light, well-drained soil. Shelter in very windy sites to prevent wind damage to the flower stalks.
Cut back hard close to ground level in spring to remove untidy old leaves and give room for new growth.

Specific Feeding:

Give an application of a general fertiliser in spring to get growth off to a good start.

Propagation

Division
From Seed

Anemanthele lessoniana. syn. Stipa arundinacea Stipa brachytricha Stipa calamagrostis Stipa gigantea Stipa pennata Stipa tennuissima Pony Tails

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