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Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's tail grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Anemanthele lessoniana
Other names
Pheasant's tail grass, New Zealand wind grass, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Stipa arundinacea
Genus
Anemanthele Anemanthele
Species
A. lessoniana - A. lessoniana is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen to evergreen grass, with arching, mid-green leaves, flushed red or orange in autumn, and airy, arching panicles of reddish-brown flower spikelets in late summer.
Anemanthele lessoniana is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Reddish-brown in Summer; Gold in Autumn
Foliage
Flushed red, Flushed orange in Summer; Flushed red, Flushed orange in Autumn; Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged leaves in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's tail grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Garden edging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in light to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates clay and partial shade. Will tolerate temperatures down to -10C for a brief period of time.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Anemanthele lessoniana
Other names
Pheasant's tail grass, New Zealand wind grass, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Stipa arundinacea
Genus
Anemanthele Anemanthele
Species
A. lessoniana - A. lessoniana is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen to evergreen grass, with arching, mid-green leaves, flushed red or orange in autumn, and airy, arching panicles of reddish-brown flower spikelets in late summer.
Native to
New Zealand
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Reddish-brown in Summer; Gold in Autumn
Foliage
Flushed red, Flushed orange in Summer; Flushed red, Flushed orange in Autumn; Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged leaves in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's tail grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Garden edging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in light to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates clay and partial shade. Will tolerate temperatures down to -10C for a brief period of time.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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