Ornamental grass · North Texas care guide
Nassella tenuissima
Nursery Pro tip: Moves in every breeze. Comb out the old growth in late winter.
Fine as hair and always moving — a 1–2 ft fountain of thread-thin blonde foliage that ripples in the slightest breeze and turns wheat-gold by midsummer. Unbeatable texture for a dry, sunny bed.
Full sun and sharp drainage; poor rocky soil is perfect. Space 18–24 in apart. Do not plant it in a rich, irrigated bed.
Spring or fall. Plant high with expanded shale in the backfill, Root Stimulator, gravel or thin mulch.
Weekly to establish, then almost never.
None.
Comb the dead blades out with your fingers or a rake in late winter — that's usually better than shearing, which leaves blunt ends. If it looks rough, cut to 4 in in February and it regrows fine.
It reseeds enthusiastically — some states list it as invasive. Here, cut the seed heads in early summer if you don't want volunteers coming up in the gravel and beds nearby. Short-lived (three to five years), but it replaces itself.
Movement and light between stiff plants — with yucca, agave, salvia, coneflower and blackfoot daisy in a gravel bed.
Written for Rockwall's black clay, heat and winters by the Landscape Source team. Every yard is different — bring a photo by, or ask LS-Ai, and we'll tailor it to your spot.