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Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Pixie Fountain'

Pixie Fountain Tufted Hair Grass

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Pixie Fountain'
Family
Poaceae
Height
18 to 24 inches
Width
12 to 24 inches
Flower color
Silvery-white, fading to golden-honey
Foliage color
Silver-green
Bloom time
Late summer
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moist, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low; forms dense evergreen clumps
Growing zone
USDA zones 2 to 7
Wildlife
Birds are attracted to seed heads

About this plant

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Pixie Fountain' is a graceful ornamental grass known for its delicate, airy flower heads that appear in late summer and persist into the fall. The fine-textured, arching green foliage creates a soft, fountain-like effect, making it an ideal choice for naturalistic gardens or as an accent plant in mixed borders. Its flowers, initially green, turn golden as they mature, adding seasonal interest.

Originating from temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, this variety is a compact form of the species commonly known as tufted hairgrass. It blooms in late summer, with feathery, light golden panicles emerging from slender stems that contrast beautifully with the plant's mounding base. 'Pixie Fountain' maintains a tidy and well-formed shape, with an elegant, cascading growth habit that enhances garden textures throughout the seasons.

Works well in

Borders · Cottage Gardens · Bird Gardens · Rain Gardens · Containers

Companion plants

Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.