Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted hair grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Deschampsia cespitosa
Other names
Tufted hair grass, Hassock grass, Tussock grass, Deschampsia caespitosa
Genus
Deschampsia Deschampsia
Species
D. cespitosa - D. cespitosa is a dense, tussock-forming, evergreen grass with rigid, leathery, linear, mid- to dark green leaves and airy, arching panicles of silver-flushed, purple flower spikelets in summer.
Deschampsia cespitosa is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Dense
Flower
Silvery-grey, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Prune back old stems to the ground in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Divide in mid-spring or early summer. Sow seed in situ in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted hair grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Containers, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained to moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. Prefers acid conditions.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, 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
Deschampsia cespitosa
Other names
Tufted hair grass, Hassock grass, Tussock grass, Deschampsia caespitosa
Genus
Deschampsia Deschampsia
Species
D. cespitosa - D. cespitosa is a dense, tussock-forming, evergreen grass with rigid, leathery, linear, mid- to dark green leaves and airy, arching panicles of silver-flushed, purple flower spikelets in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Dense
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Silvery-grey, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Prune back old stems to the ground in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Divide in mid-spring or early summer. Sow seed in situ in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted hair grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Containers, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained to moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. Prefers acid conditions.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, 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 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
The M&G Garden, designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg of Harris Bugg Studio, is about transforming neglected, unloved areas into new, tranquil and beautiful green spaces in the places we… read more
Designed by Ekaterina Zasukhina with Carly Kershaw. Over the centuries travellers from both east and west have collided at longitude 60°, the Ural mountains, where cultures and… read more
The Yeo Valley Organic Garden highlights the importance of looking after nature and the health of our soil. Designed by award-winning garden designer, Tom Massey, and supported by Yeo Valley… read more
By garden designer Will Williams. In-keeping with the cruise line’s Nordic roots, ‘The Viking Friluftsliv Garden’ is inspired by the Scandinavian lifestyle and incorporates the… read more
Designed by garden designer Helen Elks-Smith MSGD. Traditional with a contemporary twist, this garden located on the outskirts of London is designed for relaxed family living and informal… read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login