Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene'

RHS Plant Profile
golden oats 'Gold Fontaene'

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golden oats 'Gold Fontaene' RHS
golden oats 'Gold Fontaene' RHS
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A very large, clump-forming, evergreen grass with tough, narrow, arching leaves and huge, branching panicles of pale gold, oat-like flowers reaching to 3m, in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Stipa can be evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses with arching, folded or rolled, linear leaves and narrow panicles of often long-awned spikelets in summer and autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in medium to light, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Divide every few years in late winter to early spring to retain vigour. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late winter to early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowering stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free