Stipa splendens Trin.

RHS Plant Profile
chee grass

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chee grass RHS

Synonyms

Lasiagrostis splendens
Achnatherum splendens

Grass Like
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A clump-forming species with an arching habit. Its silvery panicles are borne in summer on stems reaching 1.2m. In sheltered spots these persist, turning golden later in the season

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Pendulous weeping
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
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, medium to light well-drained soil in full sun. Good in gravel gardens as considered drought-resistant

Propagation

Propagate by seed after flowering. Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Comb out dead and winter-damaged leaves in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free