Product Description
Nassella tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
Common Name: Mexican feather grass; formerly Stipa tenuissima.
Zone 6 to 10, may not be winter hardy below 20 degrees F.
Sun to part sun.
Mature foliage height and width 18 to 24 inches,
cool season forms dense clumps.
- Delicate, thread-like green foliage with tan flowers and straw-colored, narrow seed heads..
- 'Pony Tails' will grows best in sandy to loamy, well-drained soils; good drainage is essential. Divide in spring only.
- Use as border plants, containers, for cut flowers, edging, and in mass plantings. Tolerates drought and heat.
Nassella tenuissima 'Pony Tails', also commonly known as Mexican Feather Grass, is a beautiful and graceful ornamental grass prized for its soft, flowing texture and airy seed heads. Here is a breakdown of its key features:
Appearance and Characteristics:
- Fine, feathery foliage: The most striking characteristic is its extremely fine, almost hair-like, bright green foliage that sways gracefully in the slightest breeze. This creates a soft, flowing, and almost ethereal effect.
- Silvery-white plumes: In late spring and summer, it produces delicate, silvery-white flower plumes (seed heads) that rise above the foliage. These plumes add to the overall airy and elegant appearance, and they shimmer beautifully in the sunlight. They eventually turn to a buff color.
- Clumping growth habit: It grows in neat, compact clumps, making it a well-behaved ornamental grass that will not become overly invasive.
- Deciduous or semi-evergreen: Depending on the climate, it may be deciduous (loses its leaves in winter) or semi-evergreen (retains some foliage through winter).
Growing Conditions and Care:
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun for optimal growth and plume production. It can tolerate some light shade, but it may not be as vigorous or produce as many plumes.
- Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and does not like wet feet. Avoid heavy clay soils.
- Watering: Water regularly during the first year to establish a healthy root system. Once established, it needs very little supplemental watering, except during prolonged dry spells.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance is a key feature. In late winter or early spring, you can lightly cut back the foliage to remove any dead material and encourage new growth. Avoid heavy pruning.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 7-10, although it can sometimes be grown in zone 6 with some winter protection.
Benefits:
- Beautiful texture and movement: The fine foliage and swaying plumes add a touch of elegance and movement to the garden.
- Drought tolerant: An excellent choice for dry, hot climates and xeriscaping.
- Deer resistant: Deer generally avoid it.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established.
- Erosion control: The dense root system can help stabilize slopes and prevent erosion.
Uses:
- Borders and edging: Adds a soft, textural element to borders and edging.
- Mass plantings: Planted in groups, it creates a beautiful, flowing groundcover.
- Rock gardens: Thrives in rocky, well-drained conditions.
- Container gardening: Can be grown in containers, adding a vertical element and graceful movement to patios and decks.
- Naturalistic plantings: Fits well in naturalistic or meadow-style gardens.
Important Considerations:
- Self-seeding: It can self-seed in some areas, so if you do not want it to spread, you may need to remove the seed heads before they mature.
- Sensitivity to wet feet: It is crucial to avoid overwatering, especially in winter, as this can lead to root rot.
Overall, Nassella tenuissima 'Pony Tails' is a stunning and low-maintenance ornamental grass that adds beauty and movement to the garden. Its drought tolerance and graceful appearance make it a popular choice for gardeners in a variety of climates.
Ten (10) plants in quart containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
