Deschampsia flexuosa is a fine textured cool season bunchgrass known for its arching wiry foliage and delicate flowering stems that rise and sway above the plant. It adds graceful movement and structure to shaded or partially sunny gardens with a naturalistic look that blends easily into woodland edges and glades. The foliage often takes on bronze tones in fall offering multi season visual interest.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Sandy to loamy, well drained soils; tolerates low fertility
Watering Needs: Low to moderate; prefers moist conditions but adapts to dry shade
Deer Resistance: Generally deer resistant
Native Status
This species is native to North America and parts of Europe and Asia, occurring in dry open woods, sandy glades, and shaded slopes.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Supports grass skipper species such as Northern Broken Dash and Zabulon Skipper that utilize native grasses in shaded habitats.
Moths
- Host for larvae of several noctuid and geometrid moths that depend on fine textured bunchgrasses.
Birds
- Provides cover and foraging habitat for forest edge songbirds like Common Yellowthroat and Eastern Towhee.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow room for clump expansion and seed head display.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent in woodland gardens, dry shade plantings, and naturalized understory layers. Combines well with ferns and small spring ephemerals.
Companion Plants
- Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) - Low growing ground cover with bold heart shaped leaves that contrasts Deschampsia’s texture.
- Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) - Light blue spring blooms float above creeping foliage and pair naturally with woodland grasses.
- Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) - Forms a low carpet that complements Deschampsia's vertical flowering habit.
- Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium) - Offers soft mounds of foliage and pink blooms in late spring for color balance.
- Aruncus dioicus (Goats Beard) - Adds height and white feathery plumes to contrast with grass movement in dappled light.