Anemanthele lessoniana 'Sirocco'

RHS Plant Profile
pheasant's tail grass 'Sirocco'

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Synonyms

Stipa arundinacea 'Sirocco'

Grass Like
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A rhizomatous, semi-evergreen perennial grass to 1m tall, with leathery, dark green leaves that become heavily streaked with orange-brown in summer, becoming orange-brown all over in winter. From midsummer to early autumn it bears pendent panicles of purplish green flower spikelets to 30cm long; these can be dried. Best colour is achieved when grown in full sun

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or 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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Anemanthele are semi-evergreen grasses forming a clump of slender leaves of attractive, arching habit, with large, feathery sprays of tiny reddish-brown flowers
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Rake through the plant to remove dead leaves in early spring. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further information. May have the potential to become a nuisance due to prolific self-seeding if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free