Caring for Feather Grass

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.