Plant Guide

Stipa ichu

• Common Name

  Peruvian Feather Grass
• CA Native

  Non-native
• Plant Type

  Grass or grass-like plant
• Size

  2' - 3' x 2' - 3'
• Flower Color

  Golden
• Bloom Time

  • Spring
• Leaves

  Thin Needle-Like - Upright
• Evergreen

  Evergreen
• Deer Resistant

  Rarely Damaged
• Wildlife Value

  N / A
• Growth Rate

  Fast
• Hardiness

  Hardy
• Adverse Growth Factors

  None
• Special Features

  • Low Maintenance
  • Showy Flowers
  • Specimen
• Water Use

  • Drought Tolerant
• Soil pH

  6.5-7.5 (neutral)
• Exposure

  • Full Sun
• Soil Type

  Not Particular
• Drainage

  Good Drainage
• Description and Cultural Plant Tips

  This stiff fine textured needle-like bunch grass reaches 2' - 3' wide and tall.  Lime green can fade to beige in winter.  Showy feather-like flowers appear in spring with showy silken awns, very featherlike.  Flowers mature to a golden color and explode by mid-summer.  Full sun or light shade, quite heat resistant and is an extremely durable hot weather plant.

• Master Gardener Comments

  Goes well with other drought tolerant Mediterranean plants, succulents, other stipas – good in masses or as accent plant.  Can handle clay soil and is good for coastal conditions.

  Propigate by seed.  Will naturalize unfavorable conditions but not invasive.

   

• Varietals

  N / A