Deschampsia flexuosa

RHS Plant Profile
wavy hair grass

Other common names

bent grass, common hair grass, crinkled hair grass, brigwellt main

Synonyms

Aira flexuosa
Aira alpestris

Grass Like

Tufted evergreen grass about 60cm in height, with thread-like, smooth blue-green leaves to 20cm long. Silver-tinted purple or brown spikelets, in open flower panicles are produced on wavy stems, in early and midsummer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
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
Temp. N. Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist or well-drained neutral to acid garden soil in sun or part shade, incorporating plenty of well-rotted garden compost before planting to help retain moisture in dry soils. See Ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in situ in spring or autumn, or by division in mid spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove flower heads before growth begins in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free