Deschampsia

deschampsia

( deh - SHAMP - see - ah )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial grasses, commonly called Tussock Grass or Hair Grass, includes species that are perfect for creating natural meadows. These grasses are drought and heat tolerant, requiring full sun and little water to perform well in gardens. They form clumps of delicate foliage and flowering stems that top out at 2 feet tall when mature. Blooming stems appear in summertime, holding flowers on one side. Leaves are grey-green and narrow. Use Deschampsia in woodland gardens, rain gardens, meadow or prairie landscapes, or simply as a soft groundcover.

Deschampsia Species and Varietals

The genus Deschampsia is a member of the plant family Poaceae and includes between 30 and 40 species. The genus is named for French physician and naturalist Louis Auguste Deschamps. The best growing zones for Deschampsia are USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass, Tussock Grass, Salt and Pepper Grass, Hair Grass)
This is the type species of the genus, and forms clumps of narrow, dark green foliage that reaches up to 1-2 feet tall. In late spring to early summertime, foliage is topped with tufts of green-greenish gold that turn tan in fall/winter. These perennials form clumps over time, and are considered landscape pioneers, colonizing roadsides and disturbed areas.

Deschampsia flexuosa (Crinkled Hair Grass, Wavy Hairgrass, Slender Hairgrass)
This species reaches less than 2 feet tall and about half as wide, with open flower inflorescences produced in summertime. These plants do well in woodland landscapes as well as wet areas of the garden. Crinkled Hair Grass is also used as a groundcover plant or in shade gardens.

Caring for Deschampsia

Plant Deschampsia grasses in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, but can also be used as groundcover plants in shaded areas of the garden. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 3.5 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. They do well in bioswales, rain gardens, and around water features.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Deschampsia plants are perennials that will survive in the landscape for between 3 and 5 years before needing to be replaced. They form clumps over time, which means that they will create new plants that continue on in the landscape after original plantings fade. These clumps can and should be divided from time to time (every 3 years) to ensure ongoing plant health, to propagate new plants, and to clean up old plant material. For instructions on how to successfully divide Deschampsia, consult the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Deschampsia grasses is through division. These plants will form expanding clumps of foliage over time, and these clumps can be dug up, broken apart, and replanted as smaller individual plants. To propagate your Tussock Grass, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Deschampsia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. The plant should have had at least 2-3 years in the ground to establish a root system that can be successfully divided. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Separate the removed patch of grass into sections using a sharp, clean knife or trowel. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a few shoots. Any dried out areas with dead roots can be tossed in the compost pile.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with well-draining soil and compost and work it in. Water thoroughly, and then plant divisions.
Keep soil consistently moist as the newly-planted divisions establish strong root systems in their new home. Provide regular waterings, especially during dry spells.