Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv.
Fescue-Leaved Hairgrass
Tufted hair-grass is a robust perennial native to Britain and widely across the temperate world, forming large, dense tussocks of tough, dark green leaves whose upper surfaces are ridged and very rough to the touch. In summer it throws up tall, slender stems topped with broad, airy panicles of tiny silvery to purplish spikelets that catch the light beautifully and persist as a soft haze well into autumn.
About
Tufted hair-grass is a robust perennial native to Britain and widely across the temperate world, forming large, dense tussocks of tough, dark green leaves whose upper surfaces are ridged and very rough to the touch. In summer it throws up tall, slender stems topped with broad, airy panicles of tiny silvery to purplish spikelets that catch the light beautifully and persist as a soft haze well into autumn.
It is a grass of damp ground, thriving on heavy, moist or seasonally wet soils in meadows, marshy pastures, woodland rides, ditches and rough grassland, in sun or partial shade. The hard, persistent tussocks make it valuable for structure and movement in wetland and damp-meadow plantings, and several ornamental selections are grown for their flowering haze. The tussocks provide overwintering shelter for insects and small creatures, and the seed is eaten by birds.
Also known as
Tufted Hair Grass · Tufted Hair-Grass · Tufted Hairgrass · Tussock Grass · small-flowered ticklegrass
Synonyms
Aera caespitosa · Aera cespitosa · Agrostis cespitosa · Aira caespitosa · Aira cespitosa · Aira cespitosa alpina · Aira cespitosa hartmaniana · Aira cespitosa minor · Aira major · Aira major cespitosa · Avena cespitosa
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.