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friesfan1

Stipa Tenuissima or Mexican Feather Grass

friesfan1
15 years ago

Last fall I bought a package of Mexican Feather grass

from a seed company that said that it should be

good in zone 5.

Now, after a bit more research, I find that

I may have "let myself" be misinformed, by

not doing more research.

Has anyone had success with this grass in

zone 5 before? I would still love to plant

it. If I do, would it possibly re-seed in

my zone for more plants the following season?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mary

z 5b KS

Comments (7)

  • grass_guy
    15 years ago

    In my experience Nassella (Stipa) tenuissima is only hardy to zone 6. Some growers list it as only a 7.

  • friesfan1
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Mexican Feather should have been a dead give away.
    However I have seen in my area, what looks to
    be MFG. I doubt if I stopped to ask where
    they got it they would even know what kind of
    grass it was.

    Any dead ringer for MFG?

    Since I have the seeds, I am going to go ahead
    and plant them, other wise it would be a waste of
    money. Still might be ;-)

    Thanks Grass Guy

  • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    15 years ago

    It can be grown in colder climates as an annual. However it seldom will develop sufficiently to bloom or set seed, so reseeding in your zone may be problematic.

  • friesfan1
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thank you Garden Gal.

    I really love the whispy look of it as
    it blows in the breeze.
    I would love a smaller grass for my slopes
    and my rock garden that I can just leave
    be.

    Mary
    z 5b KS

  • donn_
    15 years ago

    A couple of other "whispy" grasses, hardy in your zone, are Festuca ovina and Nassella viridula.

  • grass_guy
    15 years ago

    By all means plant them. Maybe do containers. I saw a really nice container of Nassella at Longwood Gardens in PA. I don't know if it was a hardier variety or not, or what they may have done with the container in the winter, but like Gardengal said...use it as an annual grass.

  • friesfan1
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Donn,
    Thank you for the grass suggestion. I will look into
    both of those.

    Grass Guy,
    I can see where that would be very cool in a large
    container. I wonder what I could plant it with
    to set it off? Food for thought!

    Thanks everyone for all of your
    advise on MFG.

    Mary
    z 5b KS

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