Deschampsia cespitosa

Common Names

Tufted Hairgrass, Hassock Grass, Tussock Grass

Summary

Deschampsia cespitosa, tufted hairgrass, is a cool-season, clump-forming perennial native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It forms dense tufts of slender dark-green leaves and carries airy panicles that rise above the foliage in summer, with panicles up to about 20 inches long in tones of gold, silver, purple, and green; the habit is semi-evergreen in mild winters. Grows in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates a wide range of soils from sandy to clay; hardy in zones 4 to 9. Maintenance is low, with old foliage cut to the ground in late winter; may self-seed under optimum conditions, and propagation is possible by division or seed. In landscapes, it serves as an edging or border plant, massing in woodland or naturalized meadows, erosion control, rain gardens, and ground cover; it is deer resistant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-36 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Shade and Full Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soils

Soil pH

No single ideal pH is specified, Tolerates soil pH range 3.5-7.5, Prefers acidic soils but tolerates neutral pH

Bloom Color

Tones of gold, silver, purple and green

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Gold/Yellow, Warm, golden bronze hues

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts pollinators, birds, butterflies