Tufted Hair Grass

About this plant

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as Tufted Hair Grass, is a refined ornamental grass offering year-round appeal. Its deep green, arching foliage forms dense, tidy mounds, providing a beautiful structural element. In late spring to early summer, a spectacular show of delicate, airy flower panicles emerges, shimmering with hues of gold, silver, and purple in the sunlight. These feathery plumes persist through autumn and often into winter, adding a soft, ethereal quality to the dormant garden. Ideal for mass plantings, borders, or as a striking specimen, Tufted Hair Grass is valued for its fine texture and ability to catch and reflect light, creating a dynamic visual effect.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Tufted Hair Grass is remarkably low-maintenance. Cut back foliage in late winter or early spring just before new growth emerges to maintain tidiness and encourage vigor. It is generally pest and disease-free. Divide clumps every few years in spring if desired.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.