Deschampsia cespitosa

RHS Plant Profile
tufted hair grass

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Other common names

hassock grass, tussock grass, brigwellt cydynnog

Synonyms

Aira cespitosa
Aira cespitosa var. alpina

Herbaceous Perennial
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An evergreen grass forming a neat tussock of narrow, leathery, dark green leaves to 60cm long, with feathery panicles of silvery-purple flowers on arching stems in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, 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

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Deschampsia can be deciduous or evergreen, tufted grasses with linear or thread-like leaves and open flowering panicles in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe Asia Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in well-drained to moist but well-drained, humus-rich soils in full sun or partial shade. Prefers acid conditions

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring or autumn or by division in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Prairie planting
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old stems to the ground in early spring before growth resumes

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust