Syn. Stipa calamagrostis. Common names - Spear grass, silver spike grass and needle grass. This is a large deciduous clump forming grass native to large areas of Europe, particularly clearings in mountainous regions. Frost hardy and tolerant of drought conditions it forms an open arching habit giving it a fountain-like form, with showy plumes of silver white flowers in summer. These persist through summer to early Autumn, as they mature they fade to a light golden brown in winter. The foliage remains a blue-green colour while there is sufficient moisture until it too fades to a golden buff brown. Little maintenance is required, but it can be cut down to 15 cm once it is dormant in late winter. This grass dies back to below ground level each year in winter, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

It will tolerate both sandy and clay soils, so long as they are reasonably free draining.