Also known as golden oats, this perennial cool-season grass is native to the mountains of Spain and Portugal, and a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes rice, corn, and bamboo. The plants form dense tufts of evergreen to semi-evergreen, arching, gray-green leaves that are 1.5-2′ long, rolled, and 1/16 to 1/8″ wide. In late spring to early summer, loose, 10″ long panicles of flowers appear 3-4′ above the foliage featuring golden anthers and golden awns that are 4-5″ long and dangle from the stems moving in the slightest breeze. The plant is spectacular when backlight by the rising or setting sun and is an excellent choice to add an architectural element to a border. It is useful in coastal gardens and windy sites, as well as prairie, meadow, and cottage gardens. The flower spikes are valued in fresh and dried arrangements. The genus name, Stipa, is the Latin word from the ancient Greek word στύππη meaning fiber. The specific epithet, gigantea, is the Latin word meaning large or gigantic, and refers to the height of the grass.
Type: Perennial cool-season grass
Bloom: Panicle of flowers with long golden awns and anthers in late spring to early summer
Size: 5-6′ H x 2-3′ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, medium moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Care: Cut back in winter
Pests and Diseases: Gophers
Propagation: Seed, division in early spring or fall
Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, sneezeweed, Achillea ‘Cornation Gold’
Outstanding Selections: None available
Photo Credit: Xemenendura, Wikimedia Commons