Description
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ is a member of the Stipa genus, it is also known as Mexican feather grass, and is a herbaceous perennial grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. It is native to parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States, and is widely cultivated in other parts of the world for its attractive foliage and delicate, feathery seed heads. The ‘Pony Tails’ cultivar is valued for its fine, hair-like leaves that are green in color and grow in a dense clump. In the summer, the plant produces tall, slender stems that are topped with delicate, feathery seed heads that move gracefully in the wind. Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings. It is particularly well-suited to rock gardens, meadows, and other naturalistic garden settings, and is often used as an accent plant or in mass plantings. The plant is also fairly easy to care for, and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. In addition to its ornamental value, Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ is also a useful plant for erosion control, as its deep roots help to stabilize soil on steep slopes and embankments. Overall, Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ is a charming and graceful plant that can add texture and movement to a variety of garden settings. Its delicate seed heads and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Mexican feather grass
- Hardiness:Half Hardy and would benefit from protection through Winter.
- How big will I get? Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ can grow to a height of 0.7m and a spread of 0.3m.
- Did You Know That:In the UK, Stipa tenuissima has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Flowering Time |   |
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| Foliage Colour |  brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| |
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| brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ prefers moist but well-draining soil. This plant can grow in soil with a wide range of pH levels, it is not picky about the pH level of the soil.
Best Position
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ can handle either an exposed or a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’does not require any pruning, but ideally you should remove any dead or damaged foliage in late Spring, this will quickly be replaced by new growth and will keep the plant looking fresh and healthy.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ is generally pest free, and it tends not to have problems with diseases. It is not considered to be toxic.
