European Feather Grass
Stipa pennata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Sten Porse,Enrico Blasutto,Myrabella,Jan David Reitschläger,Sten Porse,Björn S... (www.flickr.com),Björn S... (www.flickr.com),Enrico Blasutto,,Thiotrix,Enrico Blasutto,Петроченко Віктор Іванович
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Stipa
- Species:
- Stipa pennata
- USDA Symbol:
- STPE9
Growth Characteristics
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green, cream
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- golden, tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical of steppe and grassland species adapted to periodic burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, calcareous, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in steppe and rocky grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI