<em>Deschampsia</em>, tufted hair-grass: planting, care and companion planting

Description and botany

Deschampsias, or Canches are grasses of the family Poaceae, plants commonly referred to as grasses. They occur worldwide, in temperate climate zones of both hemispheres and even grow at altitude, including in some tropical areas.

Of the roughly fifty annual or perennial species, few are grown for ornamental purposes. Deschampsia cespitosa (or caespitosa) and Deschampsia flexuosa are the two most widely used for their decorative value.

Canches have very fine, rough foliage. Flat or rolled, leaves can be rough (D. cespitosa) or smooth (D. flexuosa), with slightly sharp margins. They have prominent veins separated by translucent membranes. Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on winter severity, these grasses form dense clumps with a trailing habit, 30 to 60 cm high and about as wide. Mostly green, some cultivars show golden tones such as Deschampsia ‘Tatra Gold’.

Excellent groundcovers, they are also valued for their loose spikelets, made up of 2 to 4 fertile flowers. These are carried on erect stalks and thus rise from 40 cm to over 1.20 m. Flowering generally occurs in summer, between June and August, though some varieties bloom later. For example Deschampsia ‘Tardiflora’ flowers more between August and November.

Canes’ spikes start off green, often pale, sometimes tinged with yellow, gold, purple or bronze. Hues develop to straw-yellow or deeper purple. All catch the light beautifully, especially when lit from behind by the evening sun and placed against a dark background that shows them off. Inflorescences remain decorative into winter and give a dreamlike touch to the garden when dusted with frost.

Hardy to at least -20 °C, Deschampsias prefer cool soils but tolerate drought once established. Deschampsia cespitosa are suitable for heavy, clay soils, even marshy or temporarily flooded ground. Deschampsia flexuosa, by contrast, thrives in sandy, free-draining soil and copes very well with drought.

Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’: in July and November

Undemanding, Canches grow in acidic, neutral or limey soil. A bright, sunny exposure favours abundant flowering. Cultivation in partial shade or light shade is possible but plants are less vigorous.

This grass also adapts very well to container culture, for decorating terraces and balconies.

Very easy to grow, Deschampsias have no real pests and require almost no maintenance. A light annual tidy-up at the end of winter is sufficient.

Easy to propagate, either by division of the stump or by collecting volunteer seedlings that appear in fresh soil.

Their light, airy aspect and stately habit suit many combinations and uses. They fit into romantic or naturalistic gardens alongside roses or perennials, as well as in more contemporary compositions where they bring rhythm and movement.

Different varieties of Deschampsia

Deschampsia caespitosa

Type species with rather ordinary green foliage, largely offset by numerous spike inflorescences whose brightness increases as the season progresses. Placed backlit against a dark background, it creates a dazzling display.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Deschampsia cespitosa Bronzeschleier

In summer, numerous spikes appear bronze-green at emergence. Their colour then lightens, ending in warm straw tones in autumn.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 80 cm

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Deschampsia caespitosa Goldschleier

Forming a compact, elegantly arching tussock, this canche is spectacular all year. Its translucent spikes are initially yellow-green, later blending gold and silver by the end of the season.

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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Deschampsia caespitosa Goldtau

Variety with a more compact habit than the type species. More drought-resistant, it flowers even in shade or on dry soil. Its panicles, with delicate texture, shift from yellow-green to reddish-brown, finishing in fabulous golden-brown tones.

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Deschampsia cespitosa Tardiflora

This variety is distinguished by later flowering, from August to October. It forms a large, fountain-shaped tussock. Dense foliage covers the soil well and long stems carry inflorescences first yellow-green, then a striking golden-blonde late in the season. Spikes remain decorative in winter and evergreen foliage provides a strong presence.

• Flowering time September to December
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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Deschampsia flexuosa Tatra Gold

This variety of Canche displays a unique colour. Acid green, almost fluorescent foliage forms a shaggy, tousled tussock without appearing untidy. In summer, panicles create a golden mist tinged with bronze. Tatra Gold is particularly suited to poor, free-draining and acidic soils. In partial shade, its brightness is enhanced.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Planting Deschampsias

Where to plant Deschampsias?

Deschampsias perform best in sunny, not scorching exposure and in any fresh soil. Growing in partial shade or light shade is possible but avoid deep shade. Once established, hairgrass can tolerate occasional drought. The Deschampsia flexuosa is best suited to dry, acidic soils. Deschampsia cespitosa in turn can tolerate heavy, clay soils, even marshy and temporarily flooded conditions.

Hairgrass is very adaptable. All soils suit it, whether rich or poor, acidic, neutral or calcareous.

This grass finds its place in a border, at edge of a water feature as well as in a pot on a terrace or balcony.

When to plant?

Plant preferably in autumn or spring. In coldest regions, install young plants in spring to allow them a season to settle in.

How to plant?

Planting in open ground :

1. Soak the rootball in a bucket or tub of water. Young plant must be thoroughly soaked with water before planting.
2. Dig a hole about twice the size of the rootball, roughly 20 cm in all directions for a 9 cm bucket.
3. Mix excavated soil with a shovelful of well-rotted compost or with potting compost. In poor soil, add a handful of horn meal to feed the plant in the long term.
4. Remove young plant from its bucket and place the rootball so base of foliage sits level with soil surface.
5. Backfill with remaining soil and firm lightly.
6. Water generously immediately after planting and during first weeks, especially in dry weather.
7. Mulch to a depth of about 5 cm (shredded branches, flax or hemp shavings, dry grass clippings, cocoa shells…). For a modern, mineral look, choices are also wide (slate chips, crushed brick, gravel, sand…).

Planting in a pot :

1. Immerse young plant in a generous volume of water until uniformly moist.
2. Choose a pot at least 40 cm across. Ensure drainage holes are present at base of pot.
3. Place fragments of old terracotta pots over drainage holes, then cover with a drainage layer of about 5 cm (gravel, clay balls…). Lay a geotextile felt cut to size over this drainage layer. This prevents potting soil being washed out during watering.
4. Make an equal mix of garden soil and potting compost. Add a handful of compost and a handful of horn meal.
5. Pour mix into pot and set hairgrass without burying foliage (its base should be level with substrate). Firm lightly.
6. Leave 2 to 3 cm between substrate and top of pot to allow for mulch and easy watering.
7. Water several times, in small amounts, until water runs from bottom of pot.
8. Apply a mulch — organic (wood chips, cocoa or buckwheat husks…) or mineral (gravel, pebbles, slate…) — up to rim of container.

In a pot, monitor watering throughout season. As soon as top few centimetres of soil dry out, water again.

When young plant completely fills pot (after around 3 or 4 years on average), it is time to divide the clump and replant into fresh substrate.

Caring for Deschampsias

Deschampsias require very little care. At end of winter, tidy the clump by combing through the foliage. Do this by hand (with gloves as the leaves can be a little sharp), with a rake or a cat comb. Be gentle so as not to uproot the plant. Remove old, dried foliage and, if any stems remain, cut them back to their base, level with the foliage.

Add compost and top up mulch as required.

In the ground, except in cases of severe, prolonged drought, tufted hairgrasses make do with rainwater. However, water regularly during first year, while the root system is still developing.

In a pot, simply allow the potting mix to dry between waterings but do not let your plant become parched, as it will lose its beauty. Each spring, add compost (one to two handfuls per pot) and work it in by lightly scratching the surface. Divide your tufted hairgrass when it becomes pot-bound (typically every 3 or 4 years).

Deschampsia cespitosa in autumn

Propagating Deschampsia

Spontaneous sowings

In fresh soil, Deschampsias self-seed without becoming invasive. Collect these spontaneous sowings using a trowel, keeping a small volume of soil around the roots.

Replant them immediately elsewhere in garden. Mulch and water.

Ensure young plants do not suffer from drought during first weeks.

Clump division

Clump division is carried out at start of spring. 

1. Encircle plant with a well-sharpened spade, about ten centimetres from plant base.
2. Lift your ornamental grass while keeping as much soil as possible around the roots.
3. Using spade or knife, slice to form several divisions. The larger these are, the quicker you will obtain young plants of a good size.
4. Replant divisions immediately at permanent location.
5. Water and mulch.

Discover how to divide an ornamental grass with our video

Companion planting with Deschampsias

Because of airy, light habit and ease of cultivation, Deschampsias offer many possibilities for pairings.

In all cases, preferably place them so that light illuminates them from behind. Low, slanting late-afternoon rays enhance them, especially if they stand out against dark foliage.

For a naturalistic effect, pair them with other grasses with decorative spikes such as Miscanthus, Pennisetums or Stipas. Add touches of colour with Heleniums, Echinaceas, Gauras and Asters.

An idea for a planting: Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, Eupatorium maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (or ‘Caliente’, ‘Black Field’, ‘Fat Domino’…), Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ and Selinum wallichianum

Deschampsias also perform wonderfully with inflorescences of Achilleas and Buenos Aires verbenas.

In a romantic garden, envelop rose blooms with their airy spikes, accompanied by roses, hardy geraniums and Persicarias. Dot scene with round heads of ornamental alliums or Agapanthuses.

Bring out their golden blond tones alongside trees and bushes that turn red or orange in autumn such as Smokebushes, Viburnums or Dogwoods.

With spikes appearing fairly late in season (summer), accompany their pliant clumps with groups of spring bulbs and perennials whose flowering starts earlier, such as Baptisia, Aquilegias or Euphorbias.

In a suitably large container, create a mini decorative garden for many months. To do this, pair for example a Deschampsia with Calibrachoas or annual Lobelias. Add a plant of Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, another annual with very long flowering. Finally create a counterpoint to verticality of Deschampsia spikes with silver foliage and trailing habit of Dichondra Silver Falls.