Tufted hairgrass Palava

We have great news for you! This plant is completely hassle-free and exceptionally hardy. It does not suffer from any common diseases, and it is avoided by typical garden pests such as aphids or slugs. Growing it is completely stress-free and requires no chemical sprays.

The clump of dark green leaves itself grows to a height of approximately 40 to 50 cm.

When planting, we recommend maintaining a spacing of 40 cm, which corresponds to roughly 6 to 10 plants per square meter. This ensures the plants have enough space to grow while quickly forming a beautifully dense and unified cover.

Yes, tufted hairgrass is completely safe and non-toxic for human health and pets (such as dogs, cats, or rabbits). You can plant it in your family garden without any worries, even where small children often run and play.

You don't need to worry at all. While some other types of ornamental grasses can occasionally act like weeds, the Czech cultivar 'Palava' has flowers that are sterile.

This means they do not produce any viable seeds. Therefore, the grass will not self-seed in your garden, and you certainly won't have to worry about pulling up unwanted seedlings.

Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hair grass) is a low-maintenance and long-lived ornamental grass. The 'Palava' cultivar is special because it forms very neat, dense clumps of dark green leaves. In the summer, delicate, airy clouds of flowers grow from them. It is an ideal perennial even for absolute beginners.

This cultivar boasts an extra-long flowering period. You can look forward to it from June through July and August, and very often, the blooms will grace the plant until October.

The flowers form delicate, fluffy panicles that gradually shift from greenish, yellow, and beige to a silvery-gold color. Above the clump of leaves, they look like transparent clouds.

Tufted hairgrass is perfect for natural, woodland, and modern minimalist gardens. It looks very impressive in larger groups as a mass planting.

It combines beautifully with perennials for shady to semi-shady beds, such as Heuchera or ferns. It also harmonizes perfectly with the delicate flowers of autumn asters. Thanks to its airy nature, it softens any more substantial planting.

It does not go dormant. Tufted hairgrass is an evergreen perennial, so you can admire its attractive leaves all year round. Thanks to its winter effect, it forms a striking feature in an otherwise dormant winter garden. Its dark green clumps retain their color, and the dry inflorescences covered in snow or glistening frost look absolutely magical in winter.

Very important rule: Never cut Deschampsia (hair grass) all the way down to the ground like some other grasses. New leaves sprout early in the spring, and a complete trim could damage the plant.

The best care is to simply 'comb' the clump in early spring. Gently go through the clump with your hands or a small rake to pull out old and dead leaves. This aerates and rejuvenates the plant beautifully.

Definitely not. Deschampsia is fully hardy (falling into climate zone 4a), which means it reliably withstands extreme frosts down to -34 °C.

It does not require any covering, pine boughs, or other protection for the winter. Furthermore, it has a beautiful winter effect – even under snow and frost, it retains its shape and dark green leaf color.

Tufted hairgrass naturally prefers fresh and moist spots. It will appreciate regular watering, especially in the first year after planting, until the seedlings are well-rooted.

An interesting feature of the 'Palava' cultivar, however, is that it is the most drought-tolerant of all tufted hairgrasses. Even if you occasionally forget to water it, the plant will handle it without any problems. Likewise, it can also cope with temporary waterlogging in heavy soil.

Certainly, tufted hairgrass will make a beautiful, year-round green addition to your patio or balcony. However, it is important to keep two basic rules in mind:

• Use a sufficiently large pot with a drainage hole to allow excess water to drain.
• Soil in containers dries out much faster than in open garden beds, so the seedling will require slightly more frequent watering.

The seedling will thrive best in sun or partial shade. Regarding soil, it is very adaptable – it easily tolerates regular loamy as well as heavier clay soils.

It stands out beautifully in fresh and moister areas, such as on the edges of woodland sections of your garden or near ponds, but this Czech cultivar also handles drier shade very well.

Yes, the inflorescence of Deschampsia is absolutely perfect for this purpose! The panicles are very airy, firm, and delicate.

• For cutting: In a vase, they add flair, texture, and volume to any summer bouquet.
• For drying: If you cut them in full bloom and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place, they will beautifully retain their golden or beige color for winter arrangements.

No problem at all! Hair grass (Deschampsia) is a very hardy and adaptable long-lived perennial.

It tolerates compacted and heavy clay soil that retains moisture extremely well. Unlike many other popular ornamental grasses that struggle in heavy soil due to root rot in winter, hair grass will grow happily and can even handle temporary waterlogging.

The 'Palava' cultivar is a truly exceptional hybrid with Czech roots. Compared to the original wild species, it offers three main advantages for growers:

1. Extra long flowering period (decorates the garden from summer until late autumn).
2. Sterile flowers (it does not self-seed, so it will not become a weed).
3. Highest drought tolerance of all cultivated hair grasses.