Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima) - Grown from Mexican Feather Grass seeds, this beautiful mounded drought tolerant ornamental grass with needle-like flexible leaves forms dense, bright green clumps. The flowers are silky awns that appear in June and change from green to gold as they mature. These ornamental grasses are especially striking when planted in masses, but they also can be grown in containers with nice results.

Stipa tenuissima Mexican Feather Grass also is commonly called Silky Thread Grass or Mexican Needle Grass, and it has moderate cold-hardiness and performs very well in hot summer months. This is an environmentally-friendly ornamental grass with virtually no pests or diseases and is perfect for xeriscape landscaping where water conservation is required.

How To Grow Mexican Feather Grass From Seed: Start the Stipa tenuissima seeds indoors in the early spring. Use small pots filled with seed starting mix. Place the ornamental grass seeds onto the soil and cover thinly with sand or soil and keep the seeds moist. Mexican Feather Grass will bloom the first year. Plant the ornamental grass in full sun and in well-drained soils that are moisture retentive but never wet and not overly rich. A sandy-loam soil being ideal as they can be short-lived in heavy soils.

Stipa (Stipa arundinacea Pheasant Tails) - Drought tolerant ornamental grasses add great texture and interest in the mixed border or xeriscape garden and this Pheasant's Tail grass is no exception. Grown from Stipa seeds, this clumping evergreen has narrow blades that arch gracefully and are streaked with coppery orange. In midsummer, pendent flowers open that are purplish green and give a misty appearance. Also called New Zealand Wind Grass, this drought tolerant ornamental grass is popular for its delightful form, colors, and drought tolerance where water conservation is becoming more and more important.

How To Grow Ornamental Grass Seeds: Many gardeners grow Stipa seeds in a cold frame for protection and hardiness. Start Pheasant's Tail grass seeds in the late winter or early spring. Sow the ornamental grass seeds in quality, well-draining seed starting mix and press the seeds into the soil. Keep the Stipa seeds moist until germination occurs. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, move into a pot and allow to grow on. Transplanting can be done in spring or summer after all frost danger has passed. Ornamental grass care includes trimming the plant back in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Fertilize each spring. Propagation from division can be done in the spring as well.