Silver Feather Grass

Stipa barbata is a mesmerising grass, often considered the most beautiful of the feather grasses. It produces incredibly long, trailing, silvery-white awns that can reach up to 30cm in length. These plumes have a hair-like, silken texture and shimmer brilliantly in the sun, especially when moving in the wind. The foliage is a tidy clump of needle-like, grey-green leaves. It is a superb choice for a Mediterranean garden, a sunny gravel bed, or for trailing over a low wall. It requires exceptionally well-drained soil and a position in full sun; it will struggle in heavy or wet winter soils. Hardy to H4, it is most reliable in the milder parts of the UK. Like most Stipas, it is a cool-season grass and starts into growth early. It should not be cut back hard; instead, gently "comb" out the old flower stems and dead leaves in spring to keep it looking tidy.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained sand or chalk.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.