List 1 – Nasella tenuissima
Nasella tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)
Family: Poaceae
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