Description
Deschampsia – Hair Grass –
There are about 50 species of tufted or tussock forming, herbaceous or evergreen, perennial grasses, in this genus. They are widely distributed in arctic and temperate zones, in damp meadows, moorland, and woodland clearings, and on high Mountains in tropical regions. The leaves are thread like, linear, or oblong. Grown for their habit and graceful, airy panicles, they are suitable for a mixed, herbaceous, or shrub border, and also appropriate for a wildflower garden. The flower heads of the taller species are useful in fresh or dried arrangements.
Grow in dry to damp, neutral to acidic, compost enriched soil in sun or partial shade. Divide in spring.
D. cespitosa – Tufted Hair Grass – Tussock Grass – This dense, tussock forming, evergreen grass from Eurasia and tropical Africa grows 6′ feet tall and 4-5′ feet wide. It produces rigid, linear, rough, mid green arching leaves, to 24″ long. From early to late summer it bears airy, arching panicles, to 18″ long, held above the foliage of glistening, silver tinted purple spikelets.
Zones 5-9
