Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa)
Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa) is a grass plant that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa).
This plant is commonly known as horsetail feather grass.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: horsetail feather grass
Scientific name: Stipa tirsa
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa) – Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Stipa to consider:
See all Stipa
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Stipa tirsa likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Horsetail feather grass (Stipa tirsa) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
