Alphabetical Plant Listing

Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair Grass)

Wavy Hairgrass, Wavy Hair Grass, Crinkled Hair Grass, Common Hairgrass, Bent Grass


One of the few ornamental grasses that grows well in moderately shady locations, Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair Grass) is a compact, cool season, semi-evergreen grass forming a low and dense tussock, 16 in. tall (40 cm), of slender, bright yellow-green leaves. In spring to summer, elegant clouds of delicate feathery panicles of bronze to pale greenish-yellow flowers emerge on stems rising to 3 ft. (90 cm) above the foliage. They sway gracefully in the slightest breeze and persist well into winter. Spectacular when backlit by the rising or setting sun. Native to North America, Europe and Asia, Wavy Hair Grass occurs naturally in dry open woods, slopes, fields, grasslands and open areas. Wavy Hairgrass provides food, nesting material and winter cover for a variety of birds and small mammals. Tough and easy to grow, it looks great in perennial borders, massed in woodland gardens or naturalized areas.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. across (30-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in humus-rich, dry to moderately moist, well-drained soils. Grows well in dry shade. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Excellent choice for adding height and structure to the garden, this architectural grass is perfect for beds and borders where it will easily combine with other plants, cottage gardens, prairie plantings.
  • No serious pest or disease issues and requires very little care.
  • Cut back old stems to the ground in early spring before growth resumes. Self-seeds in ideal growing conditions. Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring or fall or by division in early summer.
  • Native to Eurasia, Africa, South America, and North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 7
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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By Kimmo Keskinen, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 7
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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