Nassella tenuissima is a perennial grass species, so it can be harvested throughout the year. However, the best time to harvest the fruits of this species is usually in the late summer and early fall months, from August to October.
narrow feather grass
Nassella tenuissima ( syn. Stipa )
Also Known As - Mexican feather grass,angel hair grassNarrow Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) is a perennial grass native to Texas and often found in lawns and landscapes. It is drought tolerant, low maintenance, and grows quickly. The narrow leaf blades form narrow clumps of wispy, gray-green stems with airy feather-like flowers in the spring. It makes an excellent accent plant and can even be used as a dense ground cover due to rapid growth! It is deer-resistant, making it ideal for suburban gardens. Additionally it can thrive in a variety of soil types and is hardy in USDA zones 6-10. During the summer months it will turn a light tan in color and is easy to care for with minimal pruning.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
6
Flowers:
Showy, White, Green Flowers In Summer
Sun:
Full sun
Soil:
Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained
Fruits:
Fruits In Summer Ready In Summer
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,yellow
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Narrow feather grass should be watered once per week, with 1-2 inches of water each time. Make sure the soil is kept evenly moist, but not overly saturated. Avoid watering during the heat of the day and check the soil to ensure it is not drying out too quickly. Watering should be done at the base of the plant to avoid developing fungal diseases. During periods of extreme heat or wind, water more frequently.
sunlight
Narrow feather grass is a perennial grass native to the Southwestern United States. It prefers full sun and does best in areas with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Narrow feather grass will tolerate some partial shade, but it will not flower and may become lanky if not enough sun is available. During the hotter months of the growing season, this grass will benefit from some afternoon shade to help keep it from drying out. It may also be beneficial to provide some afternoon shade during the winter months to keep the foliage from developing sunscald. During the growing season, narrow feather grass should receive several hours of direct sunlight each day for it to remain healthy and vigorous.
pruning
Narrow feather grass (Nassella tenuissima/Stipa tenuissima) should be lightly pruned in early spring or late fall. Pinch back the foliage to promote a more bushy shape and remove any dead or damaged blades. For vigorous cuts, wait until late spring or early summer to trim the longer shoots back nearly to the ground. This will encourage new growth and side branching. If the grass is looking a bit out of control, cut back a third of it in late spring and a third in late summer to keep it looking neat. Pruning should only be done if the plant is getting too large, as it is a self-seeding and self-spreading grass.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Nassella tenuissima typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
Starts Flowering
Nassella tenuissima typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
Harvest Fruit
Nassella tenuissima is a perennial grass species, so it can be harvested throughout the year. However, the best time to harvest the fruits of this species is usually in the late summer and early fall months, from August to October.
