Message from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Stipa tenuissima is an evergreen grass and they often dont like being cut back. This stipa will shoot up very quickly after being cut back, almost overnight, but will then sulk and may die. Its better with evergreen grasses to run gloved hands thru them to try to pull out the dead bits, rather than chopping themdown.
Message from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Most grasses are cut back this time of the year, they do grow back.
Question from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Can I cut back Stipa tenuissima now in March and if so will it grow again for the summer?
Message from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Hi, Jan,
Where do you live? I had to cut mine (I live in Southern California) because they were shedding their seeds everywhere and crowding other plants. Here, though, they will sprout and fill out again in a few months. I do need to divide mine this autumn as they are starting to rot in the middle (they form thick clumps here - when I lived in England, they never got this wide of a clump!). They really need dividing every year, every two at the most.
Kathy C
Question from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
I planted some of these grasses last year but didn't cut them down in the autumn or winter. They have been a lovely edition to the garden but are now too tall and are hiding other plants. Can I trim them now.
Message from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
I would think they will be fine, in a well sunny border with drained soil and perhaps some protection with a netting cloche to prevent them dry drying out in cold wind.
You could pot them on and put in a cold frame and plant out in spring, remembering to water occasionally. All depends if your garden will be sheltered enough going into winter.
Patricia
Question from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Hi, it's mid-Sept and I've just received some 15cm stipa tenuissima seedlings. Can I put them in the ground now or will the winter cold kill them off at this stage in their development?
Comment from
In forum: Plants most searched for in Shoot
This week the most poular plants (top 10 list) searched for in Shoot includes:
Triteleia Queen Fabiola
Viburnum tinus
Alchemilla mollis
Carpinus betulus
Choisya ternata
Quercus robur
Salvia nemorosa
Stipa tenuissima
Clematis armandii
Lavandula angustifolia
Message from
In forum: Garden design
How about going for a prairie planting scheme. After all prairie's are well adapted to wind. In fact if you choose some grasses they make best use of the wind by gently billowing and arching adding movement to otherwise static gardens. Try Molinia Windspeil or Stipa tenuissima for starters. Mix the grasses with perennials such as might be found in a meadow e.g. Achillea, Scabious, ox-eye daisies. I have a few shots of a prairie planting scheme I did last year on my website - www.rkgardendesign.co.uk
Message from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Hi, Jackie,
Best time to cut back S. tenuissima is after the leaves have died, either in late autumn or early winter. However, if you live in an area with mild winters, the leaves may not die down at all. Have you added this to your 'Plants I Have' list? You'll get all the details on what to do with it and when.
Kathy C
Comment from
In forum: Stipa tenuissima
Do I need to cut this back or is it OK to leave?
Message from
In forum: General
Dear Raileisure,
I think you would have to look at something other than the traditional bedding plants, which are more suited to kinder conditions.
Grasses would be a good starting place. Stipa tenuissima is lime green, soft and feathery and made to blow in the wind. (Photo attached) Festuca glauca is small and blue grey; look for ones that like a dry site - some of them prefer moist dappled shade.
Herbs might do well - thyme is low growing, out of the wind, rosemary to add height, sage is pretty tough.
Sempervivums or houseleeks are cactus like, and low maintenance, and structurally interesting - I like patting the flat mats of rosettes. They are also supposed to protect your house from lightning so could be useful!
Good luck
Message from
In forum: Garden Landscaping and Design Forum Event
Hi there,
I love your wall and a sunny border of bright colourful planting would be great here.
I would start with a colour scheme - perhaps hot pinks, oranges and purples. Alstromeria would be good but it can flop over and doesn't flower for long. If you love it, plant it as a 'specimin' in the border, surrounded by a good long flowering scheme such as Ecinacea purpurea, pervoskia, helenium terracotta and salvia x sylvestis. I would add a lime coloured plant like alchemillia mollis as an edging plant or a grass like Stipa tenuissima would be lovely swaying in the breeze between the flowers. Be bold and plant in groups and only plant 5 different plants to get a real wow factor.
Hope this helps
Anna Taylor
http://www.landscaper.org.uk
http://www.woodhouselandscape.co.uk