Stipa barbata (Silver Feather Grass)

Native to Southern Europe, Stipa barbata (Silver Feather Grass) is an exceptionally beautiful and graceful perennial grass. Forming a dense clump of slender and upright arching foliage, this shimmering grass exhibits extraordinary, soft, silky silvery awns, resembling feathers in mid-summer. Streaming from the tips of the flower stems, they float and undulate with the slightest breeze, dancing seductively over the sunny border. When catching the wind, the feathers disperse the seeds to a new home where they will burrow themselves into the ground. Looking like a straight arrow, each seed is tipped with a sharp point that will drill into the soil and develop attractive spiral twists. Stipa barbata, is regarded as the showiest of all the mid-summer grasses. 

• This deciduous grass mixes beautifully with the sculptural Eryngium giganteum, the steel blue Eryngium planum, the rounded heads of Allium sphaerocephalon, deep-blue Agapanthus or red-toned Achilleas.
• Grows slowly in a dense fountain-like clump about 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-3 ft. across (30-90 cm).
• Enjoys full sun and dry, well-drained soils.
• Drought, deer tolerant, Stipa barbata requires very little care.
• A graceful accent plant for beds or borders, city or cottage gardens that also does well in containers. Wonderful plant for naturalized meadows thanks to its ability to self sow.
• Generally pest and disease free!
• Cut-back once to keep more compact.