Feather speargrass (Austrostipa elegantissima)

When it flowers

January, not flowering
February, not flowering
March, not flowering
April, not flowering
May, not flowering
June, not flowering
July, not flowering
August, not flowering
September, flowering
October, flowering
November, flowering
December, flowering

Native, cool-season, perennial, grass to about 1 m tall; shortly rhizomatous and without a basal tuft of leaves. Leaves are tightly rolled, 1.5–2 mm wide and hairless or rough-to-touch. Palatable to …. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Austrostipa elegantissima. Photo: Macleay Grass Man, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flowerheads are pyramidal open panicles 15–25 cm long, with whorls of long, few-flowered, widely spreading, hairy branches; hairs are 1.5-2 mm long.. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Airy grass with clouds of feathery, purplish seed heads in spring.

A scrambling, open grass from dry country across southern Australia. In spring it sends up large, feathery panicles that give a misty, purple-tinged haze. Best in dry, sunny gardens.

In the garden

Feature plant
Rockery
Mass planting

Attracts: Shelter for small wildlife
Flowers: Large, airy, feathery seed heads, purplish ageing to straw.
Leaves: Sparse, narrow green leaves on wiry, branching stems.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loam and clay
Soil pH: Neutral and alkaline
Drainage: Needs good drainage
Frost: Moderate frost
Water: Very drought tolerant
Climate: Arid and semi-arid, dry summers (Mediterranean) and temperate

Planting and care

Grown from: Seed and division

Planting

Full sun in well-drained soil. Space 60 cm apart.

Pruning

Cut back hard in late summer after the seed heads fade.

Care

No feeding needed; extra nutrients favour weeds. Water through the first summer.

Safety

The sharp seeds can lodge in pets' fur, ears and paws. Cut the seed heads off once they dry if you have dogs.

Where it comes from

Family: Poaceae
Order: Poales
Native to: New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia
Natural range: Dry woodland and mallee across southern Australia.

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Feather speargrass Austrostipa elegantissima