Compared to ubiquitous carex and calamagrostis, Anemanthele lessoniana is a less-frequently used ornamental grass (not to mention a bit of a mouthful!). But it deserves wider fame, so I thought it was time to show it some love on the blog.
Commonly known as Pheasant’s Tail Grass (and once known as Stipa arundinacea), this is a cool-season grass that is hardy to zone 8. (Grasses are classified as either cool- or warm-season. Cool-season grasses start to grow as soon as the soil warms up in the spring. They flower in mid-summer and then their growth slows and they just kind of hang out. Warm-season grasses don’t start putting on new growth until late spring. They flower from late summer until frost.)
I love my Pheasant’s Tail Grass. Its glowy spring colour, not really done justice in the photo above, is absolutely stunning, especially when backlit. Its flowers are delicate and whispery, and it maintains a good arching mounded shape all year (I don’t cut mine back). This grass is said to do really well in the Pacific Northwest, and mine’s certainly lived up to that plug. Love, love, love.
Joy says
I have to admit I have a THING for grasses .. and I haven’t heard of this one before .. I only wish it was hardy for my zone 5b .. all the same it is a LOOKER for sure !
Theresa/GardenFreshLiving says
LOVE the grass. It looks so autumn-y. Okay, I know that is not a word, but you know what I mean. You photo is fine. You can see how stunning it is!
Frances says
That is gorgeous! I love the color, size and form. We are zone 7 here in SE Tennessee, but can cheat the zones in some spots. We have stipa tenuissima that grows with abandon, so the Pheasant’s tail grass might be happy here. I will look for it. You can never have too many grasses.
Frances
JamesA-S says
It is a fabulous grass, grows well in UK and particularly effective in swathes.(http://www.flickr.com/photos/14662964@N08/2892265136/) However, it does tend to be short lived and needs replacing after a few years – but, nature being a wondrous thing, it self seeds itself most promiscuously.
blomma finds says
OOOOO!!!! I want this. I love grasses and have been looking for one that has some more color interest. I’m going to see if it works for my zone…
Andrea Bellamy says
Joy – Join the club! I have a thing for grasses, too. Let’s start a fan club!
Theresa – definitely fits the season, eh? Thanks for leading me to your blog.
Frances – give it a shot. In a protected area, it might just do it. :)
James – WOW! Gorgeous photos. Thanks for the info on this grass – I didn’t know it wasn’t long lived. I’ll have to collect some seed from it this year. Mine’s about three years old.
Blomma – you’re in Chicago, right? I think that’s zone 6, so you might be pushing it. But like Frances said, you can cheat the zones if you have a nice little microclimate (sheltered, warmer) on your hands. Try it!
Juree says
I love the color– so fall-like!
Andrea Bellamy says
Juree – beautiful, isn’t it?