Vedergras

Stipa tenuissima

Engels: Feather Grass

ornamental grassPoaceae

Vedergras (Stipa tenuissima) is a ornamental grass from the Poaceae family that grows up to 60cm tall. This plant thrives in full sun and requires low maintenance. Blooms in summer and late summer with yellow flowers and attracts birds.

Hoogte

40–60 cm

Breedte

30–40 cm

Zonligging

full sun

Waterbehoefte

low water needs

Grondsoort

sandy soil, loam, chalky soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

summer, late summer

Bloemkleuren

yellow

Ecologische waarde

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Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
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Care tips

Planting

Feather grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for gravel gardens, Mediterranean-style borders, and sunny banks. It tolerates sandy, loamy, and chalky soils but will not perform well in heavy clay or waterlogged ground. Before planting, improve drainage if necessary by working in grit or sharp sand, especially on heavier soils. This grass is best planted as a pot-grown specimen rather than sown from seed, which can be unreliable for home gardeners. Plant in April, May, or September when the soil is workable and temperatures are mild. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and set the plant at the same depth it sat in its pot—avoid burying the crown, as this can lead to rot. Space plants 30 cm apart to allow each clump to develop its characteristic airy form without crowding. After planting, firm the soil gently around the roots and water in thoroughly to settle the plant and eliminate air pockets. Once established, feather grass is remarkably drought-tolerant and requires little aftercare. In the first few weeks, water occasionally during dry spells to help roots establish, but avoid overwatering. A light mulch of gravel or grit around the base improves drainage and suppresses weeds, though organic mulches like compost are less suitable as they retain too much moisture. Staking is unnecessary; the fine, hair-like flower stems are designed to move gracefully in the breeze and will support themselves even in exposed positions.

Pruning

Feather grass requires minimal pruning, but an annual tidy-up in March keeps plants looking their best and encourages fresh, vigorous growth. Unlike many ornamental grasses that are cut back hard in late winter, Stipa tenuissima benefits from being left standing through autumn and winter. The bleached, straw-coloured foliage and seedheads provide valuable structure and movement in the dormant garden, and the old growth offers some frost protection to the crown. In March, before new shoots emerge, use a pair of sharp garden shears or secateurs to cut the entire clump back to within 5–10 cm of the ground. Work carefully to avoid damaging the crown or any emerging green shoots at the base. If you prefer, you can simply comb through the clump with gloved hands or a rake to pull out dead material, though a full cut-back is quicker and neater. Dispose of the trimmings on the compost heap or in green waste—do not leave them around the base, as they can harbour slugs and encourage rot. Feather grass is short-lived compared to many perennials, often declining after three to five years. If your clump looks sparse or dies out in patches, it's usually a sign the plant has reached the end of its natural lifespan rather than a pruning issue. Self-sown seedlings often appear nearby and can be transplanted to replace older plants. Deadheading is unnecessary and removes much of the ornamental appeal, so allow the feathery seedheads to develop and persist through summer and autumn.

Maintenance

Feather grass is a low-maintenance plant once established, requiring little intervention beyond the annual March cut-back. Its low water needs make it well suited to dry gardens and gravel schemes. Water newly planted specimens during prolonged dry spells in their first season, but established clumps rarely need watering, even in summer. Overwatering or planting in moisture-retentive soil is the most common cause of failure, leading to root rot and fungal problems. Feed sparingly, if at all. A single light application of a general-purpose granular fertiliser in April is sufficient, but feather grass grows well in poor, free-draining soils and too much feeding can produce lush, floppy growth that lacks the plant's characteristic fine texture. On fertile soils, skip feeding altogether. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage soft growth prone to flopping and disease. Feather grass is fully hardy in zones 6a–10b and needs no special winter protection in temperate Europe. Good drainage is far more important than cold tolerance; plants are more likely to succumb to winter wet than frost. A gravel mulch around the crown helps shed water and keeps the base dry. Leave the old foliage standing until March to provide some insulation and visual interest. Pests are rarely a problem, though slugs and snails may nibble emerging shoots in spring—check regularly and remove by hand if necessary. Rust can occasionally affect the foliage in humid conditions, appearing as orange or brown pustules on the leaves. Improve air circulation by thinning overcrowded clumps and avoid overhead watering. Feather grass often self-seeds freely; remove unwanted seedlings promptly or allow them to naturalise in informal plantings.