Deschampsia caespitosa - Tufted Hairgrass

Tufted Hairgrass is a cool-season bunchgrass with fine, arching green leaves and airy, golden seed heads that bring movement and texture to natural landscapes. Blooming from late spring into early summer, its delicate, wispy flower spikes offer a graceful contrast to wildflowers and other native grasses. The golden seed heads persist through winter, providing visual interest and a valuable seed source for birds and small wildlife.

Thriving in moist to moderately dry soils, Tufted Hairgrass forms neat, non-spreading clumps, making it a low-maintenance option for meadow plantings, erosion control, and habitat restoration in both urban and rural settings. It's grows in moist meadows, wetland edges, riparian zones, coastal areas, alpine tundra, and open woodlands. While not highly palatable, light browsing may occur, particularly on young foliage; however, its clumping growth habit allows for easy recovery.