New England Wild Flower Society

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Deschampsia flexuosa

wavy hair grass


Deschampsia flexuosa is a low, clumping, cool-season perennial grass with delicate, dark green foliage that thrives in a variety of tough conditions, particularly dry shade. Flower stalks are tall, loose and silvery, waving gently in the lightest breeze. This species is excellent for adding texture to a variety of garden settings.

Click on these links to read in detail:  General Description | Benefits | Ecology | References


Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 1-2 ft
Hardiness Zone: 4-7


Characteristics & Attributes

Cultivation Status
Species
Exposure
Part Shade
Shade
Soil Moisture
Average
Ecoregion
(84) Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens
(82) Acadian Plains and Hills
(58) Northeastern Highlands
(83) Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands
(59) Northeastern Coastal Zone
Ornamental Interest
Summer Bloom
Attracts Wildlife
Other Pollinators/Wildlife
Host Plant
Tolerance
Salt Tolerant
Deer/Rabbit Resistant
Additional Attributes
Low Maintenance
Landscape Use
Massing
Groundcover
Naturalize
Rain Garden
Growth Habit
Compact/Clumping


North American Distribution


General Description

Bloom Description: Though grasses' flowers tend to be inconspicuous, wavy-hair grass produces large, airy, flowers that appear at the tops of stalks in July-August. Flower stalks can reach 25-30” in late spring, giving the impression of a silvery-purple mist.

Growth Habit & Shape: Deschampsia has a clumping habit with low basal foliage, typically lower than 1’, with thin and delicate arching leaf blades that remain evergreen.

Soil Preferences: This is a common plant in dry, upland, open forested areas in New England, but also a key component of low, sandy and dry grasslands or barrens—it thrives in dry, acidic sites, but also looks great in average, slightly moister garden soil.

Root Description: The roots are very fine, tangled, and densely packed.

Garden Uses: This is a common plant in dry, upland, open forested areas in New England, but also a key component of low, sandy and dry grasslands or barrens—it thrives in dry, acidic sites, but also looks great in average, slightly moister garden soil.

Best Management & Maintenance: Wavy-hair grass can handle mowing once or twice a year, and flower stalks can be cut back as desired. Otherwise, no maintenance is needed on established plants.

Common Problems: Rabbits like the tender new growth on the basal leaves, but their browse does not typically kill the plant.

Benefits

Wildlife Benefits: Deschampsia flexuosa provides forage and habitat for herbivorous and other insects, especially when overwintering. Seeds are eaten by birds.

Other Practical/Environmental Benefits: Stabilizes soil, especially in shady, dry spots.

Use in place of: common turf grasses, ecologically non-functional ornamentals, mulch.

Ecology

Habitat:
Wavy-hair grass is found in heathlands, alpine or subalpine zones, cliffs, balds, or ledges, forests, grassland, mountain summits and plateaus, ridges or ledges, and woodlands.


Response to Disturbance: As with many graminoids, Deschampsia establishes readily after clear-cutting, and its easy-going germination requirements allow it to grow readily in new areas when direct-sown. Plants easily survive rabbit browse and mowing.

Native State Distributions:
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
USA: AK , AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV


Wetland indicator status: FACU

References

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wavy hair grass - Deschampsia flexuosa from Native Plant Trust
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