TUFTED HAIRGRASS (Deschampsia cespitosa)
When I first saw this grass as a dried herbarium specimen 30 years ago, I was really struck by the beauty of its shiny silver panicles tinged with purple. I didn’t know this grass existed in our province and couldn’t wait to see it for real! When I did, it was everything I’d dreamed of, its gorgeous, loose panicles shimmering in the light as the wind blew. If you hold the leaves up to the light, you’ll see they have transparent veins, too! To this day, tufted hairgrass remains one of my favourite grasses. Too bad the pictures don’t do it justice.
Life Cycle: perennial, cool season
Sun Exposure: full sun – part shade
Bloom Period: June
Height: 1 – 4 ft
Soil: medium – moist