Stipa tenuissima

These clumps of hair-fine foliage wave an endless display of silver-green flower heads, each seed tipped with a long silky filament. The overall effect of delicate plumes and foliage waving in the slightest breeze is magical, among daisy flowers especially. Needs well drained soil. Best in poorer soils, so that the plant doesn't flop over and foliage  ages to its beautiful sandy-tan colour. Seen in the photo growing in our gravel garden with Allium sphaerocephalum, Agapanthus sp., Origanum sp. and Verbascum bombyciferum. As with many of our evergreen grasses, we cut the foliage down hard in late winter, see Image 5. Synonym Nassella tenuissima.