Plant of the Month: Stipa gigantea

Posted:12 September 2012

Having recently spent the day at the Sussex Prairie Garden plant fair and seen some fabulous plants there, I thought I should tell you about one of our favourites – Stipa gigantea – the giant oat grass.

We find it to be a very useful architectural plant, and you can see this magnificent grass growing in various locations throughout Sussex Prairies.

Stipa gigantea is a member of the Poaceae family.  It is one of the largest feather grasses and is said to be one of the most magnificent of all the ornamental garden grasses. It makes a really good ‘see through’ plant and is brilliant for growing with cut flowers, giving a light and airy feel, together with swaying movement.  This plant with its golden colour looks particularly beautiful when the low level sun shines through on a September morning.

Its narrow (3mm) leaves form a large tuft of basal foliage while the loose, open panicle flowers are held high above the foliage on stems 2.5m high during June to August and persist well into the autumn and winter months. Overall height and spread is 2.5m (8ft) high x 1.2m (4ft) wide.

The specific epithet gigantea appropriately describes the tall stems, while the common name golden oats accurately describe the oat-like panicles of flowers which are golden when ripe.

Stipa species and cultivars are all easily grown in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, they happily grow in Britain and northern Europe, and most are hardy to at least -15°C though many will not survive the winter in conditions where the soil is waterlogged.

Plants should establish quickly and, once growing well, need little attention apart from cutting back of the foliage during the winter to tidy it up before the new flush of growth appears in the spring.

Once established Stipa gigantea is drought resistant and not troubled by pests or diseases.

Like many grasses Stipa can be propagated from seed or division. Sow seeds in container in a cold frame in spring, or divide plants in mid-spring or early summer.

Do give it a try – even in a small garden it can provide a real wow factor!

PHOTO: thank you to Woottens of Wenhaston www.woottensplants.com