Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Poaceae

• Spokane Native
• Sun: Full sun to light shade
• Size: 2-4 feet tall x 2-3 feet wide
• Flower: Airy panicles
• Drought Tolerant: Moderate (prefers consistent moisture)
• Evergreen: Semi-evergreen
• Flower Color: Green turning golden; June through August
• Wildlife: Seeds for birds; provides cover for small wildlife

Tufted hairgrass is an elegant, cool-season bunchgrass native to temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including the mountains and valleys of the Pacific Northwest. This graceful perennial forms dense, fountain-like tufts of fine-textured, dark green basal foliage that arch outward from a central crown. Native to moist meadows, streambanks, forest edges, and mountain meadows from low to subalpine elevations, it thrives in areas with consistent moisture but tolerates periods of summer drought once established. The plant grows naturally in a wide range of soil types from sandy to clay loam, preferring neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Unlike many ornamental grasses, tufted hairgrass performs well in partial shade, making it valuable for woodland gardens and shady borders.

The ornamental highlight occurs in early to midsummer when delicate, cloud-like flower panicles emerge on slender stems rising well above the foliage. These airy inflorescences start as green to purple-tinged plumes and mature to beautiful shades of gold, bronze, and straw as they dry, creating a shimmering, ethereal effect in the garden. The open, finely branched panicles measure six to twelve inches long and dance gracefully in the slightest breeze. The narrow leaf blades, typically one-eighth inch wide, maintain their deep green color throughout the growing season and often remain semi-evergreen in mild climates, turning attractive shades of bronze and copper in fall. The persistent seed heads provide winter interest, catching snow and frost for dramatic effect.

Tufted hairgrass provides important habitat and food resources for wildlife. The seeds are consumed by various songbirds and small mammals, while the dense tufts offer nesting material and protective cover for ground-nesting birds. The plant serves as a larval host for several butterfly and moth species, including various skipper butterflies. In natural settings, the thick growth form helps stabilize stream banks and wetland edges while providing important filtration of runoff. The clumping habit creates microhabitats that shelter beneficial insects, amphibians, and small mammals. Historically, Native American tribes used the grass for basketry and thatching materials.

In ornamental landscapes, tufted hairgrass is prized for its refined texture, graceful form, and adaptability to shade. It excels in rain gardens, bog gardens, and along pond edges where consistent moisture is available, but also performs well in regular garden beds with supplemental watering during dry periods. The plant provides excellent textural contrast when massed as a groundcover or used as a specimen in mixed borders. It combines beautifully with moisture-loving perennials like astilbe, ligularia, iris, and ferns in shaded settings, and with sedges, rushes, and wetland wildflowers in sunny locations. Plant it along pathways where its fine texture and airy seed heads can be appreciated up close. The species tolerates light foot traffic and can be used as a lawn alternative in low-use areas. Several cultivars offer variations in foliage color and form, including 'Goldtau' with golden seed heads and 'Northern Lights' with variegated foliage. The plant requires minimal maintenance—simply comb out dead foliage in early spring before new growth emerges.