Does it need pruning?

Yes, comb out dead foliage in early spring to keep the plant tidy.

Can it grow in shade?

It prefers full sun to maintain its structural integrity and flowering.

Guide botanique

Giant feather grass.

Stipa gigantea

Prononciation STY-puh jy-GAN-tee-uh

Giant feather grass — Photo de Oleg Kosterin (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This is a stunning ornamental grass that brings a touch of elegance to any sunny garden. It is famous for its tall, golden flower panicles that sway beautifully in the breeze. You will love how it adds texture and movement to your outdoor space.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Perennial grass
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 7 à 14 jours
Taille adulte: 2.5 meters
Croissance: Moyenne
Rusticité: USDA 6 à 9
Floraison: Late spring to midsummer

Entretien

Plant this grass in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for soggy roots during winter, as it really prefers to stay on the drier side. It is quite tough once it gets settled in your garden.

Arrosage: Water regularly during the first year, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.
Engrais: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Taille: Cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth appears.
Rempotage: It prefers to stay in the ground, but divide clumps every few years if they get too crowded.
Sol: Well draining, sandy or rocky soil
pH du sol: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Température: -15 à 35°C
Humidité: 20 à 60%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Élevée
Durée de vie: Perennial, typically 10 to 15 years
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Élevée

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the active season.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Sécurité

Humains: There are no known toxic effects to humans from this plant.
Enfants: The sharp leaf blades pose a minor risk of paper-like cuts to small children if handled roughly.
Allergènes de contact: The foliage edges can be sharp and may cause minor skin irritation if handled without gloves.
Allergènes aéroportés: The pollen can cause mild respiratory irritation for those with grass allergies during the flowering season.
Comestibilité: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

Comment l'identifier

Tall golden oat like flower spikes
Clumping habit of narrow green leaves
Panicles reach up to two meters
Evergreen foliage in mild climates

Hauteur: 1,5 à 2,5m
Envergure: 0,9 à 1,2m
Feuilles: green, grey-green, evergreen
Fleurs: gold, purple-tinged, 20 à 40cm

Problèmes courants

Crown rot — Occurs when the plant is grown in soil that remains too wet during winter.

La cultiver

Multiplication: division, seed
Quand planter: spring, autumn
Hivernage: Leave the foliage intact through winter to protect the crown from frost and moisture. Trim back dead material only when new growth begins in spring.
En pot: It can grow in large containers, but ensure the pot is at least 50 centimeters wide to accommodate the root system.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use two garden forks to pry the root ball apart.
3. Replant the divisions immediately in well-drained soil.

Seed

1. Sow seeds in pots during spring.
2. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination.
3. Transplant seedlings once they are large enough to handle.

Pair this grass with other drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants to create a low-water garden display.

Bonnes associations

Lavande d'Angleterre — They share similar requirements for sun and well-drained soil.
Perovskia atriplicifolia — The airy blue flowers contrast beautifully with the golden grass plumes.

Espèces similaires

Nassella tenuissima — It offers a similar fine texture but in a much smaller, more delicate form.

Science

Famille: Poaceae
Genre: Stipa
Ordre: Poales
Classe: Liliopsida
Région d'origine: Southwestern Europe and North Africa.
Préservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

This grass thrives in dry, rocky soils where its deep root system helps it survive extended summer droughts.

Intérêt pour la faune: provides nesting material, winter cover
Pollinisateurs: abeilles
Utilisations: ornamental grass, architectural focal point, dried flower arrangements

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND

Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 6/9
Lumière: 8/9
Température: 6/9
Humidité: 2/9
Nutriments: 3/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need pruning?: Yes, comb out dead foliage in early spring to keep the plant tidy.
Can it grow in shade?: It prefers full sun to maintain its structural integrity and flowering.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Stipa comes from the Greek word for fibrous or tow-like, while the specific epithet gigantea refers to its impressive size.

Bon à savoir

The flower panicles are often compared to golden oats.
It is a long-lived perennial that requires very little maintenance once established.
The plant remains beautiful even when covered in frost during winter.

Aussi dans

Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.