Excessive irrigation or flooding rain, especially in heavy soils, will rot its roots. The only care needed is an annual ‘hair-cut’. This grass comes from elevations of 3,300-5,000 feet in the Chihuahuan desert from eastern Arizona, New Mexico, South Texas and northern Mexico. Plant in fall or spring. Little supplemental irrigation required but can handle more regular irrigation if soil drains well. Collect leaves from neighbors to add to compost pile! … The grass clump will be overgrown, possibly encroaching on neighboring plants or creeping out beyond the border or edge. Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0, This is a large clumping grass, so use with shrubs that won't be overwhelmed by it, such as, Can be cut back in fall if it becomes unruly, 1, 2, 3, 6*, 7*, 8*, 9*, 10*, 11*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*. Mexican feather grass is also a good choice for erosion control on exposed hillsides. The flowers are silky awns that appear in June and change from green to gold as they mature. Mexican feather grass. It is considered deer resistant. Description. Why is Mel Bartholomew’s innovative square foot gardening concept so valuable today? They’re great planted in masses, to add soft texture that sways with every breeze. Note that several of the Deer Grass clumps in the photo at right (3 years after planting) are still vigorous, while others need attention. The importance of Deer Grass is high as its benefits are more and so are Deer Grass Facts. After that, water sparingly, during the driest of times. In a residential or commercial landscape it provides beautiful tufts of arching … Prefers sun but can grow in shade. Keep that row cover ready! Often other species such as coues deer or desert sheep can be hunted as well. This is a waterwise plant! A North American native, Mexican feather grass has an upright habit with silky looking seed heads appearing in the summer. Mexican feather grass is one of the loveliest of all the ornamental grasses, and retains its beauty from spring until early winter. Mexican feather grass, also called pony tails, is a superb grass known for its shimmering golden panicles.. Mexican feather grass facts. Native from California to Texas and south into Mexico. Stipa tenuissima Mexican Feather Grass also is commonly called Silky Thread Grass or Mexican Needle Grass, and it has moderate cold-hardiness and performs very well in hot summer months. If picky relatives coming, okay to prune, Avoid pruning shrubs right now unless you see damage, Do not prune oak trees unless you have damage: paint wound immediately, Okay to prune trees other than red oaks and live oaks, Shrubs, roses, trees, evergreen spring-blooming perennials while dormant, Asters and other fall-bloomers which are dormant, Select spots where you want fruit trees, grapes, or berries to plant in January; for now, prep with compost, Mulch cold tender plants like gingers, Esperanza and semi-tropicals. This process can be seen starting on the plant to the far right in this photo. Hardiness zones Sunset 2-24 USDA 7-11. Plant in fall or spring. Yet even the most easy-going of grasses need periodic attention to perform their best. Its graceful mounding habit and fine-texture, semi-evergreen foliage is a welcome addition to dry landscapes. A great looking smaller grass that is similar in appearance but about half the size of California Deer Grass … Water to establish it. Do not protect plants with plastic! This is a waterwise plant! You may find this quality endearing, especially if you have some empty spaces you want to fill in. It does not spread by the roots, but it does sometimes spread from seed, so remove seedlings you do not want before they mature. You can then divide the clump again, and replant them, … A dense tight clump with an upright growth habit. The effect is especially striking when several plants are grouped together. Nassella tenuissima nah-SELL-a ten-yew-ISS-ih-mah. Gulf Coast Muhly. Mexican Feather Stipa tenuissima Grass seeds,are a beautiful mounded ornamental grass with needle-like flexible leaves forms dense, bright green clumps. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella or Stipa tenuissima) is a wildly popular ornamental grass used by home gardeners and landscape design professionals. Mexican feather grass survives in dry conditions and thrives just fine after being cut back. 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