Q stipa-lepida

Foothill Needlegrass – Stipa lepida (STYE-puh LEP-ih-duh) Family: Poaceae (Grass family) Native to: California & Baja CA; Dry slopes and disturbed areas in grasslands, Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral and Oak Woodlands. Growth characteristics: Cool-season bunch grass mature height: 1-3 ft mature width: 1-3 ft Graceful perennial bunchgrasses with arching leaves and flower stalks. Stalks arch over leaves. Seeds and stems of Purple Needlegrass are red-purple and of cernua (Nodding) are light purple. Graceful and showy plants. Blooms/fruits: insignificant blooms in summer. Seeds have long, attractive bristles (“needles”). Uses in the garden: Wonderful accent plants, in mid-beds or as borders – very graceful grass even when dry. For erosion control on slopes and banks; for dry gardens. Most showy when planted in masses. Excellent choice for native prairie plantings with annual wildflowers & other native grasses. Sensible substitute for: non-native ornamental bunching grasses like Mexican Feather Grass. Attracts: birds, small mammals (nest; shelter; seeds); larger mammals (food); butterflies (larval food). Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to partial shade Soil Prefer sandy, but very tolerant Water Drought resistant; best with no summer water Fertilizer Low requirement Other Deep, well-drained soils for best performance; do not tolerate alkaline or salty soils Management: little water needed (if any); keep area weeded until established. Can be mowed (high) or sheared to 4-6 inches in fall. Reseeds on bare ground. Propagation: from seed : collect dry seeds spring/summer. Plant in soil or pots in summer/fall. By divisions: in winter (Dec-Mar); fairly easy. Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers) : 1-3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24, 28 12/11/10 © Project SOUND

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Transcript of Q stipa-lepida

Foothill Needlegrass – Stipa lepida (STYE-puh LEP-ih-duh)

Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Native to: California & Baja CA; Dry slopes and disturbed areas in grasslands, Coastal Sage Scrub,

Chaparral and Oak Woodlands.

Growth characteristics: Cool-season bunch grass mature height: 1-3 ft mature width: 1-3 ft

Graceful perennial bunchgrasses with arching leaves and flower stalks. Stalks arch over leaves. Seeds and stems of Purple Needlegrass are red-purple and of cernua (Nodding) are light purple. Graceful and

showy plants.

Blooms/fruits: insignificant blooms in summer. Seeds have long, attractive bristles (“needles”).

Uses in the garden: Wonderful accent plants, in mid-beds or as borders – very graceful grass even

when dry. For erosion control on slopes and banks; for dry gardens. Most showy when planted in masses. Excellent choice for native prairie plantings with annual wildflowers & other native grasses.

Sensible substitute for: non-native ornamental bunching grasses like Mexican Feather Grass.

Attracts: birds, small mammals (nest; shelter; seeds); larger mammals (food); butterflies (larval food).

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to partial shade

Soil Prefer sandy, but very tolerant

Water Drought resistant; best with no summer water

Fertilizer Low requirement

Other Deep, well-drained soils for best performance; do not tolerate alkaline or salty soils

Management: little water needed (if any); keep area weeded until established. Can be mowed (high) or

sheared to 4-6 inches in fall. Reseeds on bare ground.

Propagation: from seed: collect dry seeds spring/summer. Plant in soil or pots in summer/fall. By