Stipa gigantea - Giant feather Grass

If you are looking for a grass which will add a hint of drama to your borders this is a good choice - Stipa gigantea forms a low clump of grey/green leaves with great stems of golden, oat-like flowers over a metre high.

It can be used in amongst low plants to provide vertical accents or can be put at the front of herbaceous borders so that you view the other plants through the graceful stems of the grass.

For a modern feel use it at regular intervals in your border and underplant with the wonderful purple globes of Alliums. If you are making a gravel garden this plant will be a winner.

Easy to grow, plant Stipa gigantea in full sun in fairly well drained soil. Be careful because the leaves have quite sharp edges. The flowers appear in June and will stay throughout much of winter. Cut down in early spring to tidy the plant and prepare it for new growth. The flowering stems make great cut flowers.

To propagate wait until the plant bulks up and then divide in spring. Add well rotted compost to the planting hole and water well.

Stipa gigantea has received the RHS’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

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