Mexican Feather Grass
Nassella tenuissima
SKU
03488
Delicate and graceful leaves and airy flower heads sway gently with the slightest breeze. Readily reseeds to naturalize in meadows or on slopes. Combine with Sedums and Asters or tuck into a rock garden. Not recommended for California gardens, where it has been identified as invasive. Herbaceous.
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Full sun
Once established, needs only occasional watering.
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| Lore | Mexican feathergrass often self-sows abundantly and may spread out of its designated place in the garden. It is an extremely vigorous grass, and can crowd pasture species as well as native grasses in coastal areas. In Argentina, where Mexican feathergrass is native, it is regarded as an unpalatable grass (Moretto & Distel 1998). The grass forms indigestible balls in the stomach of livestock and, Mexican feathergrass can become dominant under continual heavy grazing pressure with a low frequency of high-intensity fire (Distel & Boo 1995). Monrovia does not ship this grass to California. |
|---|---|
| Average Size at Maturity | Forms airy clumps 12 to 24 in. tall and as wide; 30 in. tall in bloom. |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Design Ideas | Beautifull grown in masses, this is a candidate for rock gardens, dry streambeds and next to landscape boulders. Grow as a single accent or in a small cluster among other drought- and heat-resistant perennials for unique color and texture variation. Excellent choice in Mexican ceramic pots for an artistic statement in Santa Fe-style garden. In California, substitute dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'), Blonde Ambition blue gamma grass (Bouteloua gracilis), or prarie dropseed (Sporobolus airoides) for a similar effect in the landscape. |
| Deciduous/ Evergreen | Herbaceous |
| Flower Color | Brown |
| Foliage Color | Light Green |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Landscape Use | Green Roof |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Soil Needs | All-Purpose Plant Food |
| Special Feature | Clump Forming, Naturalizes Well, North American Native Selection, Waterwise |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Watering Needs | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Key Feature | Waterwise |
Provide a well drained soil and water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Reduce watering after establishment. Prune off or rake out dead foliage before new foliage emerges.
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This Plant's Growing Zones: 6 - 10
Your climate may be too cold for this plant