Nassella tenuissima

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.

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.

Nassella tenuissima provides cultivar-specific ornamental foliage, flowers, form, or seasonal interest.

Mixed border, cottage garden, mass planting

South Central U.S.A. to Mexico and Argentina