There are two main species of Deschampsia grown in gardens; Deschampsia cespitosa is a tussock former that grows in sun or shade and prefers a damper soil but will tolerate dryness, Deschampsia flexuosa is smaller and seems to need acidic damper soil in shade. We only grow Deschampsia cespitosa and it's forms at the moment.
We can see Deschampsia cespitosa growing wild on many nature reserves nearby so we know it is going to do well in our gardens here. Over the decades many selections have been made with different heights and shades of colour to the flowers and seedheads. Most of the earlier forms were selected in Germany (or by Germans) so the names reflect this.
Deschampsia cespitosa will grow in sun or shade, generally preferring more moisture and being more long lived in poorer soil. Rich soil can make it grow too quickly and exhaust itself - don't feed them! They will survive droughts as long as moisture returns in time. Very hardy.
Tussocks of long narrow rich green foliage and purple tinted bronze-gold flowers in early summer to 75cm-1.2m. Best in some shade and not too rich soil.
Clumps of narrow, deep green leaves and slender, arching stems bearing metallic bronze flower panicles from early summer, they turn buff with age. Average soil in sun or light shade. 1m.
Evergreen clumps of long narrow leaves produce arching stems with bronzey-buff open panicles on early summer. Seed heads are held until winter. 90cm. Good soil in shade for best effect.
A very showy German variety which makes clumps of dark green leaves and tall golden stems topped with silky bronze flowers to 1.2m in late spring. Golden buff seedheads until mid-winter. Average soil in shade or better soil in sun.
