Deschampsia flexuosa
Wavy Hairgrass
DESCRIPTION
Wavy HairgrassDeschampsia flexuosa
This showy, fine-textured, evergreen grass is excellent in shady gardens or woodland settings. A cool season grower, wavy hairgrass forms a tight clump of narrow, wiry foliage. In late spring, stems shoot up above the foliage and arch gracefully with frothy-looking flowers. Clumping grasses like this provide nest sites and winter cover for quail and sparrows. They also provide fall and winter seeds for a number of birds including cardinals, towhees, juncos, sparrows, finches, goldfinches, redpolls and snow buntings.
BENEFITS
Will grow in dry shadeProvides nest sites, protective cover and food for birds
Offers protective cover for small mammals
Good winter interest; very winter hardy
Use flowers in fresh or dried arrangements
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Dry woods, highlands and shorelines; Maine to Michigan south to Ohio and Pennsylvania and in the mountains to Georgia.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
Interesting Facts
Diversifying your shady areas by planting a mix of shrubs, vines, grasses and flowers will provide the best type of habitat for wildlife and will give you a visually interesting landscape year round.
GROWING TIPS
Grows easily in partial shade to full shade. Plant in average to dry soil. Leave foliage in place for winter interest and to provide cover for wildlife. Cut back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins. Plants will self-sow but are not invasive.