Anemanthele lessoniana In NZ – Growing The Pheasant’s Tail Grass

Growing Anemanthele Grass

Growing the Anemanthele lessoniana grass is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success when you are growing Anemanthele lessoniana.

Anemanthele lessoniana Fertiliser

Anemanthele lessoniana are vigorous plants that require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s native fertiliser has been blended to give plants the boost they need and then sustained nutrition for the next 12 months. We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. The Plant Company’s native fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. This fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.

Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if Native Plant Fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.

Can Anemanthele lessoniana Be Grown In Coastal Environments?

Anemanthele lessoniana can cope with coastal areas provided they are not routinely covered in salt spray. Being constantly coated with sea spray can result in leaf burning. If the soil is too saline, this can also prove detrimental to the plants and result in them becoming stunted. If you elect to plant in this environment, The Plant Company recommends ensuring the soil is well prepared with organic matter such as compost and provide some shelter with regular watering during dry periods.

Can Anemanthele Lessoniana Grow In Shade?

Anemanthele lessoniana 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.

How To Plant Anemanthele lessoniana

Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Anemanthele lessoniana plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.

Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. Place the plant in the hole without removing any of the growing media or cutting the roots. You can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. If the roots have been circling the inside of the pot or they look totally root bound, you don’t need to cut them as this will set this plant back.

Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter Native Plant Fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering.

How To Propagate Anemanthele lessoniana

Anemanthele lessoniana are easily propagated by division. Established plants are simply broken apart with roots still attached. This task is usually undertaken any time between late autumn and early spring with plants potted up using growing media for several weeks before planting out again. Take care not to make plants too small as they must have plenty of roots to successfully re-establish.

Anemanthele lessoniana can also be easily grown from seed. Fresh seed is scattered onto growing media and vermiculite used to cover the seed in a thin layer. The trays are kept warm and moist, with seeds germinating inside of two weeks.

Where Do Anemanthele lessoniana Plants Grow Best?

A full sun or partial shade position with good drainage is essential for getting the best results with Anemanthele lessoniana. On poorly drained sites or with over-watering they tend to become stunted and sickly looking. This can cause and result in root rot issues that may eventually kill the plant if drainage is very poor.

In shaded conditions Anemanthele lessoniana tend to become “leggy” and somewhat “floppy” as the leaves extend to reach light. In full sun they tend to be more compact and denser, with better colouring. The planting position should also be moderately sheltered which will help both with establishment and to produce a better shaped plant overall. This is not essential as they can cope well with wind.

Anemanthele lessoniana Pruning

Anemanthele lessoniana are generally only trimmed to remove unsightly leaves or cut back more aggressively to rejuvenate or control a plant. This is best done during spring or summer when plants are moving to active growth. Aggressive trimming usually involves cutting plants back to 10 cm above the soil level. These are very forgiving plants and even if you get the trimming wrong, they will generally recover! Unfortunately, there is a risk of plants dying after such aggressive trimming. This will sometimes occur if the plants were diseased or suffering nutritional deficiencies ahead of trimming. In these cases, the plant just doesn’t have the energy to resume active growth.

Anemanthele lessoniana Care

Caring for Anemanthele lessoniana is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success.

How To Care For Anemanthele lessoniana Plants

The most important part starts with planting, and our earlier article provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!

Winter is the perfect time for mulching your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with mulch. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.

Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our Native Plant Fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.

Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second day on the hottest days until they are fully established. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet. Once established, the plants are largely drought tolerant.

Caring for Anemanthele lessoniana in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.

Constantly check plants for any issues. Anemanthele plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they may be susceptible to rust in humid conditions.

Anemanthele lessoniana General Information

This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Anemanthele lessoniana.

Is Anemanthele lessoniana Evergreen In NZ?

Anemanthele lessoniana is considered a semi-evergreen grass in NZ. This means that it typically retains its foliage throughout winter, but some older leaves may brown and die off. The extent of die-off can vary depending on the severity of the winter and the plant's individual health. However, in warmer climates or sheltered locations, it behaves as a true evergreen, retaining its foliage year-round.

Is Anemanthele Lessoniana Invasive?

Anemanthele lessoniana can be invasive depending on the location. Where it originates from in New Zealand, it's not considered invasive. However, it can become quite invasive in other parts of the world, especially in areas with similar climates like California and the Pacific Northwest. The wind readily carries its seeds, allowing them to spread to new areas quickly. Moreover, it can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, making it difficult to control its spread. It readily self-sows and can form large colonies that can crowd out native plants. If you're considering planting Anemanthele lessoniana, it's best to check with your local authorities first to see if it's considered invasive in your area.

What Is Gossamer Grass?

Gossamer grass is the common name for the plant, Anemanthele lessoniana. It is a NZ native grass found that features graceful, arching foliage that has distinctive orange tones in winter, and brown tones in summer. It thrives in various conditions, including coastal areas, exposed sites, and forests.

It is called gossamer grass because ‘gossamer’ refers to something extremely light and delicate, like cobwebs. The feathery flowerheads and the fine texture of the leaves evoke this image.

What Is The Native Wind Grass In New Zealand?

The native wind grass in New Zealand is Anemanthele lessoniana, also aptly known as Wind Grass! It is a stunning ornamental grass with arching, copper-tinged foliage and feathery flowerheads. Some of its key characteristics include:

• Clump-forming, with tufts of arching, narrow leaves that can reach up to 75 cm in length.
• The foliage is green and turns orange-brown in winter, with a distinctive reddish-purple tinge.
• The flowers comprise feathery plumes in summer.
• Its natural habitat is diverse and includes coastal areas, exposed sites, and dry forests.
• It is a popular ornamental plant and is widely used for conservation and erosion control purposes.

What Is The Old Name For Anemanthele Lessoniana?

The old name for Anemanthele lessoniana is Stipa arundinacea. You may still find it listed under this name in older sources or in certain regions. There are also some other historical names:

• Oryzopsis lessoniana
• Agrostis lessoniana
• Agrostis procera
• Dichelachne procera
• Dichelachne rigida
• Oryzopsis rigida
• Agrostis rigida
• Apera arundinacea
• Apera purpurascens

Where Is Anemanthele Native To?

Anemanthele lessoniana is native to New Zealand. It's found throughout both the North and South Islands, in habitats such as coastal areas, exposed sites, forests, grasslands, and mountain slopes. It is not naturally found anywhere else in the world. However, due to its attractive appearance and low maintenance requirements, it's become a popular ornamental plant and can now be found in gardens around the world.

Why Is Anemanthele Lessoniana Called Pheasant's Tail Grass?

The common name "pheasant's tail grass" for Anemanthele lessoniana is a descriptive name, but it isn't a perfect analogy. Pheasant tails are long, slender, and have a graceful plume-like appearance.

Anemanthele lessoniana has narrow, arching leaves that flow in the wind, creating a feathery or plume-like effect. So, the name refers to the visual similarity between the grass and a pheasant's tail, particularly the way they both move and present themselves. However, some gardeners find the comparison a bit off the mark, arguing that the resemblance isn't very strong.