Stipa calamagrostis

The Stipa calamagrostis, also known as Achnatherum calamagrostis, is a graceful medium-sized grass perfect for dry, poor, or limestone soil. From a tuft of slender, curved green leaves emerge long green-silver silky panicles from July to September, elegant and light as a breath. Over the months, the soft stems take on a beautiful golden-beige hue. Both leaves and inflorescences remain evergreen in winter. Perfectly hardy and easy to grow in sunny, well-drained soil, this Stipa should be planted more often, especially in dry, waterless gardens.

Like many grasses, the Stipa calamagrostis is a non-spreading herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Poaceae family. It originates from mountainous regions of central and southern Europe. This plant grows in compact, slightly arched clumps, with a grassy stump composed of wonderful linear leaves, smooth on the upper side, finely villous on the underside, and of medium green colour. When mature, it will measure approximately 1m (3ft) in height when flowering and about 50cm (20in) in width. Its growth is relatively fast, depending on the growing conditions. The foliage is evergreen. In summer, from July to September, depending on the climate, long, slender, flexible, soft and silky flower heads emerge from the tuft of leaves, white-green-silver in colour, turning golden-beige in autumn. The seeds form in late summer on the flower heads that retain their extraordinary beauty until winter.

Hardy down to -15 °C (5°F) in well-drained soil, the Stipa calamagrostis is a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas where the soil is poor and stony. This grass is appreciated for the indescribable poetry of its flowering, the extreme lightness of its hairy clumps, and its decorative appearance for a good part of the year. Animated by the slightest breeze, the wind shapes the plant, sublimated by the low evening light, softly rustling, almost musical. It accompanies flowering and light perennials such as linaria, penstemons, field daisies, Aster cordifolius, scabiosa, annual poppies and asphodels. Dark, green, or purple foliage will highlight its long hair that catches the light so well. Depending on the climate, you can choose, for example, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb', Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea, Sambucus Black Lace, or Physocarpus 'Diabolo' in cooler soil. Plant it where you can touch and contemplate it for long minutes, along a pathway, on a patio border, or in a large pot, grouping several specimens.