Nassella tenuissima
$17.95 / 1G
Mexican Feather Grass ·
Description
Nassella tenuissima, commonly known as Mexican Feather Grass, is a clump-forming ornamental grass or sedge valued for its gold or yellow, gray or silver, and white flowers during fall and summer. It typically matures 1–2 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide. Grow it in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained clay or loam soil. Its native range or documented parentage is South Central U.S.A. to Mexico and Argentina. Its flowers can provide seasonal forage for bees and other beneficial insects. In the landscape, it works well in container, recreational play area, and rock wall. Once established, it shows useful tolerance to deer, drought, and erosion.
Benefits
Adds movement, texture, and late-season structure without a fussy flower display. A better candidate for landscapes with deer pressure than more browse-prone plants.
Features
Nassella tenuissima provides cultivar-specific ornamental foliage, flowers, form, or seasonal interest.
Usage/Use
Mixed border, cottage garden, mass planting
| Nassella tenuissima | |
| Mexican Feather Grass | |
| No | |
| Best grown in full sun to part sun with average moisture. | |
| Full Sun to Part Sun; Average moisture; Well-drained average garden soil. Water regularly the first season, then adjust to plant preference. | |
| Garden origin / cultivated selection | |
| Non-Native | |
| No | |
| South Central U.S.A. to Mexico and Argentina | |
| Yes |
| 4 - 9 | |
| Hardy in USDA Zones 4–9; protect roots during establishment. | |
| Full Sun | |
| Loam | |
| 6 - 8 | |
| 1 - 3 ft | |
| 1 - 3 ft | |
| Medium | |
| 1 - 3 ft |
| Yes | |
| None | |
| Green | |
| Green foliage | |
| Prairie Meadows | |
| Naturalistic Garden | |
| Ornamental Grass | |
| Mass Planting | |
| Mounding | |
| Average | |
| Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Average Water | |
| Well-drained | |
| Water deeply during establishment; after established, water based on rainfall and soil moisture. | |
| Low | |
| Water regularly during establishment, mulch to conserve moisture, and cut back/prune at the proper seasonal time. |