Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bronzeschleier' is a cool season ornamental grass known for its airy bronze tinted flower heads that shimmer above compact upright clumps of green foliage.
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil; tolerates clay and sandy loam
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture, especially in sun
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar originates from a widespread species native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Selected for its fine airy bronze flower plumes.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Provides seed for finches and sparrows, and its dense base clumps offer shelter and foraging habitat for small ground birds.
Beneficial Insects
- The fine flowers attract predatory insects and pollinators such as hoverflies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that aid in garden pest control.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to showcase its airy blooms while allowing room for airflow and foliage expansion.
Landscape Placement
- Perfect for meadow style gardens, mixed borders, and pollinator plantings. Excellent for softening edges and creating vertical texture in sunny or lightly shaded spots.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - Adds upright bloom spikes and native pollinator support to pair with the grass’s softness.
- Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Beebalm) - Provides spring bloom and supports bees while thriving in the same soils.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Offers fall color and vertical contrast with similar environmental needs.
- Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' - Brings bold red flowers and aromatic foliage to balance the grass’s fine texture.
- Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo' - Adds dense clumps of textured leaves and purple flowers to complement Deschampsia’s lightness.