Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' – graceful, soft ornamental grass for movement and texture

Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' is a beautiful ornamental grass known for its fine, slightly wavy foliage and soft, feathery ears. This ornamental grass creates a dynamic and playful effect in the garden, bringing borders, rock gardens, and container plantings to life. The almost weightless, light brown ears sway gently in the wind, giving the garden an airy, natural look, while the grass itself is low-maintenance and winter-hardy.

Characteristics of Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'

• Leaves: fine, narrow and dark green; soft to the touch

• Flowering: elegant, light brown ears that sway gently in the wind

• Height: 30–50 cm, ideal for front and middle borders, but also in pots

• Growth habit: compact, clump-forming plant that spreads slowly

• Location: full sun, well-drained soil, drought resistant

'Pony Tails' is a low-maintenance ornamental grass that provides moving texture and natural elegance throughout the growing season.

Benefits of Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'

1. Moving and graceful – creates a playful effect in borders and rock gardens

2. Low maintenance – requires little care and is drought tolerant

3. Winter hardy – survives most winters without protection

4. Versatile – suitable for borders, rock gardens, pots and balcony boxes

5. Decorative – soft, feathery ears add texture and make the garden look light and natural

These qualities make Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' visually attractive and functional, making it an ideal choice for modern, natural, or Mediterranean gardens.

Sowing, planting and care

• Sowing: sow indoors in spring; sow directly outdoors from April/May

• Propagation: by division of the poles in spring or after flowering

• Planting distance: 30–40 cm to give the clump sufficient space to grow

• Soil: well-drained; tolerates drought well, avoid wet, heavy clay soil

• Water and care: minimal water required; pruning dead ears in early spring encourages new growth

With proper care, 'Pony Tails' develops a dense clump of elegantly wavy ears that provide an airy appearance from spring to autumn.

Application in garden, rock garden and containers

• Borders – adds moving texture and airiness

• Rock gardens – drought tolerant and complements Mediterranean or prairie-style plantings

• Pots and balcony boxes – compact growth makes it suitable for terraces and patios

• Combinations – beautiful with lavender, salvia, eryngium or other grasses such as Pennisetum and Miscanthus

• Dried flower – light brown ears can be dried after harvest for decorative purposes

Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' is a multifunctional ornamental plant that is both decorative and easy to maintain.