Stipa barbata

Stipa barbata: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Loose clump about 80 cm tall and 50 cm wide, with upright flower stems above the foliage.

Foliage

Narrow, thread-like and grey-green; forms a dense, soft clump.

Flower

Panicles in June–July with extremely long, silvery awns up to 20 cm, covered in fine hairs.

Seed

The seed has a sharp point with a long, twisted awn.

Roots

Fibrous and deep: the plant tolerates drought but not wet feet.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: April–May · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• The 20 cm silver awns are among the most beautiful flower heads of any ornamental grass.
• They move in the slightest breeze and bring life and play of light to the garden.
• Drought-tolerant, and therefore ideal for sunny, dry spots and gravel gardens.
• Compact clump about 80 cm tall and 50 cm wide: suited to borders and large containers.
• Little work: no watering, no feeding, one tidy-up a year.

Stipa barbata: where does it grow best?

• Full sun: in half shade the clump flops and flowers less.
• Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, neutral to chalky. Poor, stony soil is ideal.
• Dry: once established it needs no water. It dislikes wet feet, especially in winter.
• A sheltered, warm spot, for example at the foot of a sunny wall, is ideal.
• Allow 40–50 cm between plants.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Dry

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.5 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Lavender: Purple flowers and fragrance, in the same dry, chalky sun.
• Sage (Salvia): Purple flower spikes in June, just before the awns appear.
• Sea holly (Eryngium): Silvery-blue thistles next to the silver awns.
• Stonecrop (Sedum): Fleshy plants with pink late-summer flowers, in the same dry sun.
• Spurge (Euphorbia): Yellow-green flowers in spring, in the same dry, sunny spot.

Stipa barbata: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Plant in April or May, once the soil has warmed up and the risk of severe frost has passed.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix in a third grit or coarse sand for good drainage.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well. On heavy soil, plant on a slight mound or slope.
4. Leave 40–50 cm between plants.
5. Water in thoroughly straight away, then weekly in dry weather during the first year.
6. Cover the soil with a layer of gravel, keeping the heart of the clump clear.

Care

Water

Only in the first year during dry spells. After that it copes by itself: too much water harms it.

Feeding

Avoid: feed gives soft, green clumps with fewer awns.

Tidying

In March, pull the dead leaves and withered flower stems out of the clump or trim them off.

Mulching

A layer of gravel keeps the base dry and suppresses weeds.

Self-sown seedlings

Seedlings sometimes appear in gravel or paving joints. Pull them out before they grow big.

Tip: Get the drainage right: mix a third grit into the soil and plant on a slight mound. It dislikes wet winters, but dry feet make it tough.

Stipa barbata: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: In March, before the new shoots start to grow.

How:

• Comb the dead leaves out of the clump with your (gloved) fingers, or trim them off.
• Cut the withered flower stems to about 10 cm above the ground.
• Do not cut into the heart of the clump: it recovers slowly.

Caution: Wear gloves: the seeds have a sharp point that can prick the skin.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed

Sow in April–May on sandy compost and barely cover. At 15–20 °C the seed germinates within a few weeks. Pot the seedlings on separately as soon as they are big enough.

Division

In April–May you can divide a large clump with a sharp spade, but it recovers slowly. Only do it if really needed.

Stipa barbata: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Hardy to about −15 °C: in Belgium it survives ordinary winters as long as the soil stays dry. Cold, wet weather is more dangerous than frost.
• Ensure good drainage, plant on a slight mound and protect the base in severe winters with a thin layer of dry leaves or gravel.
• In a pot: stand it on feet in a sheltered, dry spot, for example under the edge of a roof.

Diseases and pests

• Rotting: On wet, heavy soil the clump rots away in winter. Mix coarse sand or grit into the soil, or plant on a mound.
• Soft, green clump: Caused by too much feed, water or shade. Move to full sun and do not feed.
• Seeds caught in fur: The sharp seeds can catch in dogs’ fur or in clothing. Do not plant it where animals play.
• Self-seeding: It sometimes seeds itself into gravel paths. Pull the seedlings out while they are small.

Through the year

• March: Remove dead leaves and withered stems.
• April: Plant, in well-drained soil.
• May: Plant. In the first year water weekly in dry weather.
• June: Flowering begins, with silver awns.
• July: Full flower. The awns sway in the wind.
• August: Seed ripens. Leave the panicles.
• October: Resting. Stop watering.
• November: Move pots to a dry spot against cold winter wet.
• December: Resting. The dry clumps decorate the garden.

Did you know?

• The species name barbata means ‘bearded’ and refers to the hairy awns.
• It grows naturally on dry, rocky slopes and steppes, from southern Europe deep into Asia.
• Its English name, ‘silver feather grass’, refers to the silvery sheen of the awns.