Anemanthele lessoniana (Syn. Stipa arundinacea) is a commonly grown ornamental garden grass that is the only member of its genus, and a member of the ten thousand strong true grass family Poaceae.
It is native to New Zealand and is commonly referred to as New Zealand wind grass, or sometimes as 'Bent', 'Pheasant's tail' or 'Gossamer' grass. Depending on the zone where it is grown, it is either semi-evergreen (zone 8) or evergreen (zone 9 or 10). It is fast growing and clump forming.
Its bushy nature and attractive colors make Anemanthele lessoniana an attractive focus plant that can be used in a large array of gardens such as cottage, gravel, city, hilly, informal, prairie, and courtyards. It is very versatile and can be used in flower beds and borders, as an edging plant, or even in large containers.
Anemanthele lessoniana is usually a semi-evergreen perennial grass that reaches a height of 90 cm (36 inches), it grows as a clump and typically has a spread of around 90 to 140 cm (36–55 inches). It typically takes two to three years to reach its full height. The leaves are arching, slender, and olive-green in color; these become copper-red, or orange-gold in color in the summer and autumn.
New Zealand Wind Grass (both pictures by Megan Hansen).
They remain this lovely color through the winter, making them a welcome sight in the garden during the winter. Plants carry bowing sprays of flowers of red and brown in the summer.
Photograph of Anemanthele lessoniana.
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