Illustrative photo.
Deschampsia cespitosa 'GOLDTAU' hairgrass, tussock grass
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,7m
usual width
0,4-0,5m
leaves
semi-deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-August
location
full sun
soil type
acidic (peaty) to neutral
soil moisture requirements
tolerates (but does not demand) wet ground
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Deschampsia
Deschampsia is a large genus of grasses which includes at least 40 different species that can be found almost all around the world, including Antarctica (deschampsia anctartica). In our country grows only one, though very beautiful and hardy species called deschampsia cespitosa – hairgrass. It was first described by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus who named it Aira cespitosa. However, in 1812, Palisot de Beauvois, who was responsible for describing the entire genus, renamed it deschampsia cespitosa in honour of his contemporary, a French physician and naturalist Louis Auguste Deschamps (1765-1842). Thanks to its endurance and hardiness this species has become the most popular among breeders and commercial growers who now offer several varieties that differ from each other in height, flower colour, and leaf size. There is also a Czech selection called Pálava, named after a wine region in southern Moravia, arguably the hottest part of our country.Description of the plant:
Goldtau is a compact hairgrass variety popular for smaller size as its tuft reaches only some 45 cm tall in leaf and is very dense. The leaves are bright green, soft, upright in the middle and arching sideways. They are evergreen down to about -18 °C but the plant itself is much hardier. After stronger frosts the leaves wither and the whole clump is best cut back a few centimeters above ground level in early spring. Hairgrass is without any exaggeration a showstopper in full bloom. Especially in mass plantings it can induce the wow effect and jaw drop when you look at its airy, hazy inflorescences which look like a fluffy golden fairy-tale cloud. Flowers are formed atop about 70 cm tall, thin stems and are composed in profuse panicles. In June they start as light beige and by late August they mature to glowing gold like fields of mature wheat. You can enjoy not only their colour beauty but also their movement in the slightest breeze. Use it in meadow-like flower beds combined with other moisture-loving perennials (lythrum, helenium, veronica, etc.) or in larger nests of min. 3 plants – it does not expand too fast.
Deschampsia is a moisture-loving species, some even classify it as a bog plant. True. One of its key assets is tolerance of water-logged ground which most other ornamental grasses detest. It prefers deep and humus-rich soils of acidic to neutral reaction. Once established, it can cope with summer drought but some leaves here and there may dry out which does not look good. Grow it in full sun only, it can tolerate a very light partial-shade only. In the spring, before new leaves emerge, cut the entire plant down to 5-10 cm above the ground. It is clump-forming, not invasive or weedy. Hardy to min. -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
Last update: 28-08-2024
