List 1 – Nasella tenuissima

Nasella tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)

Family: Poaceae

1.2 nasella tenuissima

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Size:

  • 1-2 ft wide
  • 1-2 ft tall

Form:

  • Dense, upright, clump-forming

Soil & Water requirements:

  • Can’t take excessive moisture, but requires moisture, especially during establishment
  • Well-drained

Exposure:

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Enjoys a warm garden

Leaves:

  • Thread-like, green leaves
  • Fine-textured
  • Delicate movement in the wind
  • Perennial grass

Flowers:

  • White flowers with no petals
  • Gives the plant a delicate appearance
  • Wind pollinated

Fruit

  • Long and thin; has an awn
  • Spins and drives itself into the ground
  • When wet it coils, and when dry it relaxes
  • Can penetrate the skin of animals

Suitable uses:

  • Mass planting
  • Rock garden
  • Green roof
  • To soften architecture or plants with hard edges
  • Container planting

Other:

  • Delicate, graceful appearance
  • Fast growing and inexpensive
  • Often self-sows
  • Potential to be invasive in locations like California, but not a problem in British Columbia

 

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