Stipa pulcherrima

Stipa pulcherrima is also known as the Golden Feather Grass. From a fairly compact tuft of leaves emerges the flowering, in long, silver, languid spirals, as light as a breath. Filiform leaves and almost ethereal flowers play wonderfully with the wind and light, creating magnificent ephemeral scenes in the height of summer. Perfectly hardy and easy to grow in a sunny position with well-drained soil, this Stipa deserves to be planted more often, especially in dry, waterless gardens. It is a small grass of rare delicacy, which never becomes invasive but sometimes self-seeds in light soil. Comfortable in all gardens, from the most natural to the most contemporary, low maintenance, it is a perennial that fits the times.

The Stipa pulcherrima is a non-spreading herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Poaceae family, like many grasses. Its origin is in the mountainous and arid regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey, Iran and Armenia). This tufted plant, with a turf-like base, grows in a slightly arching clump composed of very thin linear leaves, smooth on the upper side, finely villous on the underside, of medium green colour. When mature, it will reach about 60cm (24in) in height when flowering and 40-45cm (16-18in) in width. Its growth is quite rapid, depending on the growing conditions. The foliage is evergreen. In summer, from June to late July depending on the climate, rigid culms emerge from the tuft of leaves, carrying inflorescences in the form of very long, slender, soft and silky spikes, with a very bright white-silver colour, turning golden in autumn. The seeds form in late summer on the spikes which retain their extraordinary beauty until winter. They are dispersed by the wind and ensure the species' perpetuity in gardens and in nature.

Hardy down to -15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil, Stipa pulcherrima is a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas where the soil is poor and rocky. This grass is appreciated for the indescribable poetry of its flowering, the extreme lightness of its hairy tufts, and its decorative aspect for a good part of the year. Animated by the slightest breeze, the plant is shaped by the wind, sublimated by the low evening light, softly rustling, almost musical. It accompanies flowering and light perennials such as linaria, penstemon, field daisies, Aster cordifolius, and scabious, as well as annual poppies and asphodels. Dark, green or purple foliage will highlight its long hairs that catch 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 moister soil. Plant it in a place where you can touch and contemplate it, along a path, on the edge of a terrace, or in a large pot, grouping several plants together.