Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin.
Wavy Hair-grass
Wavy hair-grass is a fine-leaved perennial native to Britain and much of the Northern Hemisphere, forming neat, slender tufts of bristle-like, dark green leaves. Its name comes from the flowering stems, which carry delicate, open panicles on wiry, wavily bent branches; the small, glossy spikelets are often tinged silver and purple-brown and shimmer attractively in summer breezes.
About
Wavy hair-grass is a fine-leaved perennial native to Britain and much of the Northern Hemisphere, forming neat, slender tufts of bristle-like, dark green leaves. Its name comes from the flowering stems, which carry delicate, open panicles on wiry, wavily bent branches; the small, glossy spikelets are often tinged silver and purple-brown and shimmer attractively in summer breezes.
It is a characteristic grass of acid soils, abundant on heaths, moors, open acid woodland and sandy or peaty grassland, where it tolerates poor, infertile and often dry conditions in sun or light shade. This makes it a useful component of heathland and acid-grassland restoration, where many other grasses struggle. It forms part of the upland and lowland heath communities that support specialised wildlife, and its tufts and seed contribute to the cover and food of those habitats.
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.