4) Stipa gigantea is an evergreen, spring flowering ornamental grass. 16 thoughts on “ Stipa gigantea ” Susan Oliver 15 November 2020 at 8:10 am. Having sulked in four other positions in this as well as my last garden, I’d almost given up on them. Stipa gigantea. Nothing made a real difference, except for the deeper planted seed. Deciduous species (S. tenuissima) need to be cut back in early winter to tidy them up ready for the next season. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer. For most purposes I mix the MP compost with some sharp sand at 4:1. Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden Week 11, Perennial plants: Lift, divide, repeat. These days I’d say Stipa gigantea is a close second to being ultra-low maintenance. When to Sow. And also chipping the seed, not chipping them, planting them shallower or deeper than suggested. How to divide grasses. Seed Success in the garden Week 13 ‘You need to lift and divide a stipa every few years anyway,’ he said. Stipa gigantea : medium. Another few days later and there was growth in all 5 lines of the MP tray, but nothing different in the JI. Stipa gigantea is harder to divide. Some of Piet Oudolf’s best planting schemes feature this grass. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer. The long established Hemerocallis that occupy the site have to be removed. We take it down to a 15cm tall mound. Early autumn is the time to cut it back as it makes new growth during autumn and winter. I use the B&Q Verve compost, and recommend it highly. As the Stipa is up against a fence I have only 180 degrees to confront it, so place fork opposite the first lift and gently lever. Care Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. But it had been planted previously for convenience, rather than in the best position for it. Here a miscanthus which is a long lived grass has been lifted after about 7 years in the ground showing its healthy fibrous root system. Split them using two forks inserted back to back in the centre of the clump, and then prize them apart. And up it comes. 0. With a historic 50 per cent germination rate I thought there had to be ways to improve production. Semi-evergreen, with an open growth habit, it exhibits arching, dark green, thread-like leaves, that sway gracefully in the slightest breeze. October 2014 in Plants. After 3 weeks the 24 cells plants are showing strong growth and ready to pot on further. Lift grasses from the ground with a spade. It also needed tidying and dividing. Squaring up to this apparent beast – it having anchored itself in over more than three years – was not something I was looking forward to. The final test was in potting on, and what happens when using larger or smaller cells for growing on. Morning Anyone have any ideas on how best to support Stipa Gigantea stems without it looking a mess. Related articles. The species itself, Stipa gigantea, can actually be very variable; it can be tall and handsome or it can flop, it can produce large or small flowers, it can be prolific in flower – or not. I begin ... so when you divide just use the outer vigorous portions for replanting and discard the rest. Plant Spotlight – Stipa gigantea. Stipa comata. Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden Week 11, Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden week 11. It is partly luck of the draw as to how any particular stipa behaves. Stipa gigantea : medium. Enter your email address to reset your password. Since finding them a sunny, sheltered, and spacious spot in well-drained soil they’ve thrived on very little attention from me. Propagation Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; divide from mid-spring to early summer. Evergreen species (S. arundinacea, S. gigantea) need a tidy up in early spring to … The following photo shows the same plant 10 days after planting. Maybe a clump of tall miscanthus has been there for six or seven years and is so hungry that the stems in the middle of the clump are spindly and beginning to have trouble staying bolt upright? These days I’d say Stipa gigantea is a close second to being ultra-low maintenance. Right now my faves are Stipa gigantea and helicotrichon. Coincidentally, I was just researching bearded iris this morning. Jan J Feb F Mar M Apr A May M Jun J Jul J Aug A Sep S Oct O Nov N Dec D; Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors. Hi would it be alright to move my Stipa Gigantea now. Their leaves are linear, pleated, and rolled, and their flowers are feathery, bristly, or flattened. Thompson and Morgan have a  useful page of suggestions, but some of it seemed just too much hassle. Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden Week 11 Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden week 11 Squaring up to this apparent beast – it having anchored itself in over more than three years – was not something I was looking forward to. Stipa comata. Approximate number of seeds per packet: 10. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Gorgeous, fast growing, tough as nails, Stipa arundinacea or Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass) is an elegant and impressive ornamental grass that has become a favorite of landscape designers and gardeners. They came up faster and notably stronger. Stipa Stipa. Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden Week 11 Stipa Gigantea This week in the garden week 11 Squaring up to this apparent beast – it having anchored itself in over more than three years – was not something I was looking forward to. But it had been planted previously for convenience, rather than in the best position for it. Brief: To divide this long country garden into a series of usable spaces, incorporating two linked terraces, a formal water feature and planting to give year round structure and seasonal changes. Other names. Stipa gigantea. I’d not be without them. Golden oats 'Goldilocks', Giant feather grass 'Goldilocks' Genus. Stipa gigantea. A few weeks ago I shared my seed sowing ideas with friendsI mentioned the tests and comparisons I was making to find the most successful way to sow seeds and grow on seedlings. Having sulked in four other positions in this as well as my last garden, I’d almost given up on them. I asked him if our stipa gigantea would do well after moving. Even so, there comes a time when grasses do need attention and now is the time to give it, just as growth has started and not before. This produced interesting results in what actually germinated and how they behaved in the weeks following. Genus Stipa can be evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses with arching, folded or rolled, linear leaves and narrow panicles of often long-awned spikelets in summer and autumn . My conclusion was that the composts were drying out at different rates, and the MP retained water longer. The roots are light and shallow, so getting it to split was no problem at all. It is too near the front of my border it needs to move in towards the back about 5 feet in. A further week passed and all was ell with the MP, but the Digitalis had all died back in the JI tray. Trimming it back further leaves a neat Stipa “hedgehog”, that will be easier to part. Botanical name. Can I move it now or is the risk of moving it in autumn more than leaving it in soggy conditions? The vivid purple coneflower, Echinacea, combined with Persicaria and early flowering Stipa gigantea. It has been crowded out by Naughtia all summer and is now getting wet feet. Enter your username and password below to login. Stipa gigantea is an excellent alternative to pampas grass as a lawn specimen in small gardens, and is perfect for growing in a border or a gravel garden. 3 Sep, 2008; Featured on: grasses. You’ll see some new ones starting soon! Its extraordinary flower heads are ornamental from late spring until early autumn. They were next to each other in a heated propagator. The rain has knocked down three long stems (which seem a bit floppy to be honest) and I have tried to bind the stem to support it on one but it didn't work. They included soaking in water, soaking in tea – using the tanins to mimic passing through a birds digestive system. I shall repeat that specific test for confirmation this week. Stipa Stipa. The other test was on the sowing medium, specific John Innes mix seed compost or a vastly cheaper multi purpose. Stephen Anderton. 894646. But it had been planted previously for convenience, rather than in the best position for it. Nothing was going on with the MP still. Stipa gigantea is no different, providing it is planted in a sunny spot and in well-drained soil. After removing a barrow full I can now see the extent of the clump. Family Poaceae . It seems cruel, but that’s what they prefer. They are are susceptible to  some cells being either too wet or too dry. I have left the MP tray still to watch the slower growing chilli seeds, and to see what happens with the faster growing Digitalis. Owdboggy . A few weeks ago I shared my seed sowing ideas with friendsI mentioned the tests and comparisons I was making to find the most successful way to sow seeds and grow on seedlings. The whole point of Stipa gigantea is the gentle waving flower and seedhead which is very tall and golden – hence its common name of golden oats or giant feather grass. Many thanks. Dividing grasses Depending on the type of grass, short or long lived, they can be divided every so often to keep then young and fresh. Please. It appears to be compulsory in every modern British garden which is where we first saw it. I used 24, 54 and 60 cell trays available from the garden centre. S. gigantea - S. gigantea is a tall, evergreen to semi-evergreen grass with arching, green leaves and large panicles of oat-like flowers that emerge purple and ripen to a golden colour in late summer.. Stipa gigantea is: Evergreen Habit. Golden oats, Stipa gigantica, Giant feather grass. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. Stipa gigantea 'Goldilocks' Other names. At the same time I can dig in some home-made course garden compost. It reminds me of Hagrid. Stipa are fully hardy grasses which grow well in medium or light well drained soil. Plant stipa grass in full sun in most regions, or in partial shade in hot desert climates. The Achillea Gold Plate and Delphiniums were all pricked out into trays and look strong. GETTY IMAGES. Squaring up to this apparent beast – it having anchored itself in over more than three years – was not something I was looking forward to. 23 Jan ... Spring is the correct time for moving/dividing any of the ornamental grasses. Family Garden Planning – Part Two. So with tread boards carefully placed to stop me sinking into the turned soil. This and the continual mulching is producing a nicely textured soil compared to the slabs of clay that are otherwise the norm here. Test one was on sweet peas. I put a Stipa Gigantea in what I thought was a good place in spring. So I put it to the test. So the conclusion is to use larger cell trays and stick with multipurpose compost, rather than the more expensive John Innes seed  mix. But looking at your photo, I can be talked into them again! Registered in England No. That stipa is fantastic as a backdrop to bearded iris. If required divide the plant every 3-3 years in spring. To get a better look at I put on top of a wheelie bin. Other common names golden oats . Perennial ornamental grasses add a touch of interest to the yard without requiring a lot of maintenance. 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