Mexican Feathergrass
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Also known as Mexican Feathergrass, Mexican Wiregrass, Finestem Needlegrass, Ponytail Grass, Texas Tussock
Nassella tenuissima, commonly called Mexican feathergrass, is a finely textured, clumping, perennial grass native to open, rocky scrublands and woods on slopes and plateaus of the mountainous Trans-Pecos region of Texas west to southern New Mexico and south into central Mexico. There is also a disjunct native population in Argentina and Chile. Mature clumps can reach 1-2' tall with an equal width. The light green leaves are very fine and upright. The foliage turns golden brown in winter. Wispy, upright to gently arching panicles in summer bear small, silvery yellow spikelets. The mature fruits have a thin, light brown terminal bristle that can reach 2-4" long, creating a feather-like appearance. Synonymous with Stipa tenuissima.
Best grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, sandy, rich loams in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of rocky and clayey soils as long as they are not overly moist. Tolerant of drought once established. Plants may go dormant during periods of summer drought. Cut the foliage back in late winter before new growth emerges in spring. It will readily spread by seed given the right conditions. Hardy in Zones 7-10.
BONAP MAP
Height: 1’-2'
Spread: 1’-2'
Bloom: June-September
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, Argentina
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
