Growing Stipa Grass: Tips at a Glance
- Type Ornamental grass
- Life Span Perennial
- USDA Zones 5-10
- Light Sun
- Water Light drinker
- Color Green, gold
- Design Tip Feathery backdrop
- Other Uses Dry landscapes
- Peak Season Late spring
Stipa: A Field Guide
Stipa—a family of frothy feather, needle, and spear grasses—adds structure, texture, and movement to the calmest of landscapes.
Stipas are versatile: Plant them en masse, in a long border, or as a single specimen in a planter. Use Stipa to soften a driveway, to add a golden backdrop, or to create a moody winter landscape. The popular S. tenuissima (Mexican feather grass) turns from bright green to golden, and S. gigantea will grow to eye-catching heights, topping out at around eight feet.