Maryland Native Plants

Deschampsia cespitosa – Tufted Hair Grass

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Growing Conditions

Deschampsia cespitosa, or Tufted Hair Grass, is an ornamental native grass that grows best in part-shade conditions, making it a good option for texture and winter interest in shadier areas. It can grow in fuller sun conditions, but needs more moisture. In deeper shade it will not flower well. Deschampsia prefers medium to moist well-draining soils and can be found growing on stream banks.

Growth Habit

This cool season grass grows in clumps, forming ‘tussocks’ or thick clusters that can grow up to 16 inches tall. Grass blades emerge densely, and are typically very narrow (approximately 1/5 inch wide). In the summer, arching flower stems can grow to heights of 3 feet with long, wide, airy panicles (or a loose branching cluster of flowers). Flower color varies by stem and throughout the seasons –  they might begin in tones of gold, silver, purple, and green and then turn a yellowish-tan after bloom. Thin blades of the grass tussocks and the coloration of the flowers look beautiful in the dappled sunlight and when backlit, and provide wonderful texture and depth in part-shade gardens.

Purchase Deschampsia cespitosa here!

‘Goldtau’ Variety

In addition to the straight species Deschampsia cespitosa, we also carry the ‘Goldtau’ cultivar. ‘Goldtau’ tends to have later and longer blooming time than the straight species, blooming golden-yellow in the summer. It also has darker green grass blades and is slightly more compact than the straight species.

Purchase Deschampsia c. ‘Goldtau’ here!

A Note from Lauren & Cianna

I love it’s texture and dried seeds heads are nice to use for decorations. Songbirds, small mammals, waterfowl and many species of Lepidoptera utilize this plant. ~ Lauren

Deschampsia is a lovely clump-forming ornamental native grass. Besides it looking great in gardens, it feeds wildlife and it’s semi-evergreen nature helps provide habitat. ~ Cianna

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Plant Information