Deschampsia flexuosa – Wavy Hairgrass(BD.BW.DR.DRGHT.EC.FC.RR.SEMIEVRGRN)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Wavy Hairgrass has billowy masses of tiny, bronze-to-purple colored panicles that last and last. Vibrant green, thin leaves grow to about 1.5 feet, with the airy panicles hovering above on thin stems.  It is native to dry open woods, slopes, fields, grasslands, and open areas in North America, Europe, and Asia. Wavy Hairgrass is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. It prefers moist, organically rich soils but grows well in dry shade.

Cut old foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. This is one of the few ornamental grasses that grows well in moderately shady locations; however, it will not flower well if moved into too much shade. Semi-evergreen foliage may retain some green color in a mild St. Louis winter. In optimum growing conditions, it may self-seed.

Deschampsia flexuosa is a good plant for naturalizing. It looks dramatic when planted in masses, especially when the wind blows the open panicles. It is a fine choice for restoration or for landscape projects that require a native grass that is also ornamental. It also does quite well on green roofs and as a matrix plant in layered plantings.

Host plant to over 40 Lepidopteran species and the seeds during the fall and winter months are prized by birds.