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Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene'
  • RHS AGM

golden oats 'Gold Fontaene'

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

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Gold Green
Autumn Gold Gold Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Poaceae
Native to the UK
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

Get involved

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