Cortaderia fulvida – Tussock Grass

Also known as Golden Pampas Grass or Toetoe, Cortaderia fulvida is a smaller, more elegant form of pampas grass from New Zealand. A striking, clump-forming, evergreen perennial grass with narrow, arching, glaucous, sharp-edged leaves, it bears feathery, golden-brown flower spikes 6’ 6” tall in late spring/early summer; these persist right through winter. Tussock Grass is a highly architectural, low maintenance plant, useful as a specimen, in borders or prairie plantings. In late winter, cut down the flower-heads and remove any dead foliage from the base. Not for the coldest areas.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn, winter
Hardiness: Reasonably hardy, but needs winter protection in its first year
Height: 6’6” (2m)  Spread: 3’3” (1m)