Anemanthele lessoniana (Wind Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana (Wind Grass) Details

Anemanthele lessoniana, commonly known as Gossamer Grass, Bent Grass, or Wind Grass, is a NZ native grown for its colourful foliage. Slender blades emerge green then develop orange and bronze highlights which are accentuated during winter. Rose-red flower stems are borne in summer and provide a lovely display as they shimmer in the wind.  Gossamer grass grows to about 80 cm tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of short periods of dry, coastal conditions, frost, and cool climates, but will not tolerate prolonged wet. This Wind grass is commonly added to mixed plantings, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in border plantings, or planted around outdoor living areas. Landscape designers across NZ will often include Anemanthele lessoniana in gardens for its elegant and graceful appearance.

Can Anemanthele lessoniana grow in shade in NZ?

Anemanthele lessoniana, commonly known as Wind Grass or Gossamer Grass, can grow in full sun or partial shade. Partial shade is defined as growing under dappled light from a deciduous tree or where the plant is only exposed to full sun for 2-3 hours per day. While Gossamer Grass will grow fine in these positions, they will tend to be more “open”, and the leaf colouring will tend towards a darker green than when grown in full sun. Heavy shade conditions should be avoided for Anemanthele lessoniana as both the structure of the plant and its performance will be poor, and it will end up “leggy” and untidy. Generally, Wind Grass can be planted around the base of a deciduous tree or down the side of a house in NZ without issue.