Stipa arundinacea

Botanical Name: Stipa arundinacea
Common Name: New Zealand Wind Grass
Plant Type: Ornamental grass (semi-evergreen)
Position: Full sun (best colour) / light shade
Soil: Free-draining; tolerant of poorer soils once established
Foliage: Fine, arching leaves with warm coppery tones (colour deepens in sun)
Flowering: Summer (airy, oat-like flower heads)
Wildlife: Provides shelter and movement; low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden style
Great For: Gravel gardens, prairie planting, borders, pots, coastal gardens
Hardiness: Hardy in Irish/UK gardens (avoid waterlogged winter soil)

If you love planting that looks effortless—but still feels designed—Stipa arundinacea is a dream. This is one of those grasses that brings movement, light and warmth to a garden in a way flowers simply can’t. Its fine, arching leaves catch every breeze, often colouring up with soft copper and bronze tones, especially in full sun.

It’s brilliant for modern borders, gravel gardens and prairie-style planting, and it pairs beautifully with salvias, echinacea, verbena, gaura and late-summer perennials. Plant it in drifts and it instantly makes a space feel more relaxed, more natural—more “finished”.

Planting: Plant in spring or early autumn for best establishment. Choose a sunny, free-draining spot—good drainage is key, especially through winter.
Watering: Water regularly in the first season. Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant, though it will look best with occasional deep watering during long dry spells.
Feeding: Not a hungry plant. A light spring feed is plenty, or simply mulch with compost (keep mulch away from the crown).
Pruning / Tidying: In late winter or early spring, comb through with gloved hands or cut back lightly to remove tired foliage. Avoid hard cutting into the crown.
Winter Care: The main risk is wet feet. If your soil is heavy, add grit, plant on a slight mound, or grow in a pot with very free-draining compost.
Design Notes: Use as a “weaver” plant between bolder shapes. Looks stunning with purple/blue flowers, silver foliage, and natural stone.

Does Stipa arundinacea stay evergreen?
It’s often semi-evergreen in mild winters, but may look scruffy by late winter—tidy it up in early spring and it will freshen quickly.

Will it spread?
It forms a clump rather than running, and can be divided if it gets too large.

Is it suitable for pots?
Yes—choose a generous pot and very free-draining compost, and don’t let it sit wet over winter.