Grass - Deschampsia caespitosa

– Seeds provide food for birds such as finches and sparrows

– Dense clumps offer habitat and shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife

– Occasionally visited by pollinators during bloom, though not a nectar-rich plant

– Cool-season grass – begins growth in early spring and may slow in midsummer heat

– Provides year-round interest with flowers in summer and seed heads through fall/winter

Meadows, rain gardens, shade tolerant borders

– Fine-textured, arching green blades form tight, fountain-like clumps

– Foliage is semi-evergreen in milder climates

– Turns golden in autumn and may remain standing through winter for ornamental interest

– Delicate, airy panicles of silvery-purple to golden flowers rise 2–3 feet above foliage in early to midsummer

– Flowers mature to a soft tan or gold and often persist into winter, catching light and adding movement

– Timing: Best planted in spring or early fall

– Spacing: 18–24 inches apart to allow air circulation and natural clump formation

– Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, but is tolerant of a range of soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils

– Planting depth: Same depth as in nursery container; do not bury crown

– Mulching: Apply light mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, avoiding the crown

– Cut back to 2–4 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges

– Remove any spent flower stalks in late fall for tidiness or leave standing for winter interest and wildlife shelter

– Prefers consistently moist soil, especially in full sun

– Once established, can tolerate some short dry periods, but thrives best with regular moisture

– Ideal for rain gardens, streambanks, and woodland edges

– Full sun to partial shade

– Performs well in cooler climates with full sun; prefers some afternoon shade in hot, dry regions

– For seed: Collect flower panicles in late summer to early fall when seeds dry and shatter easily

– Clip seed heads and dry in a paper bag or tray

– For ornamental use: Seed heads can be cut and dried for floral arrangements or left for winter texture

– Fertilization is generally unnecessary in fertile soils

– If needed, apply a light, balanced fertilizer in spring

– Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that may cause floppy growth

– Wind-pollinated

– Flowers produce pollen in open air; does not require insect pollinators

– Primarily cross-pollinating, though self-pollination is possible with lower viability

– Carex – for contrasting texture in moist sites

– Iris sibirica – shares moist soil preference and similar bloom time

– Astilbe, Ligularia, Filipendula – for part-shade and moist soils

– Echinacea or Rudbeckia – for sunny spots with meadow-style aesthetics

– Ferns – for woodland edge plantings in shade or moist soil