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Stipa tenacissima (Esparto grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Stipa tenacissima
Other names
Esparto grass, Esparto, Macrochloa tenacissima, Stipellula capensis, Algerian grass, Alfa, Halfa, Lasiagrostis tenacissima
Genus
Stipa Stipa
Species
S. tenacissima - S. tenacissima is a clump-forming, evergreen, perennial grass with linear, grey-green leaves and erect stems bearing silvery-brown flower spikelets in summer.
Stipa tenacissima is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
Silvery-grey, Flushed brown in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or untidy leaves in spring.
Propagation
Sow seed under glass in early spring. Sow seed in situ in mid- to late spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Stipa tenacissima (Esparto grass) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Plant in light, poor to moderately fertile, preferably chalky soil in full sun. Tolerates heat and drought. Invasive in some introduced areas, particularly California.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Stipa tenacissima
Other names
Esparto grass, Esparto, Macrochloa tenacissima, Stipellula capensis, Algerian grass, Alfa, Halfa, Lasiagrostis tenacissima
Genus
Stipa Stipa
Species
S. tenacissima - S. tenacissima is a clump-forming, evergreen, perennial grass with linear, grey-green leaves and erect stems bearing silvery-brown flower spikelets in summer.
Native to
Balearic Islands, Northern Africa, Portugal, Spain
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Silvery-grey, Flushed brown in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or untidy leaves in spring.
Propagation
Sow seed under glass in early spring. Sow seed in situ in mid- to late spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Stipa tenacissima (Esparto grass) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Prairie planting
Cultivation
Plant in light, poor to moderately fertile, preferably chalky soil in full sun. Tolerates heat and drought. Invasive in some introduced areas, particularly California.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
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, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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