Mexican Feather Grass, scientifically known as Nassella tenuissima or Stipa tenuissima, is a favored ornamental grass, known for its fine texture and graceful movement. Companion planting involves strategically pairing different plant species to foster a mutually beneficial growing environment or enhance aesthetic appeal.
Understanding Mexican Feather Grass Needs
Mexican Feather Grass thrives in full sunlight. It prefers well-draining soil, adapting comfortably to various soil compositions, including sandy or loamy types, provided they are not prone to waterlogging. Once established, this grass exhibits notable drought tolerance, necessitating minimal supplemental irrigation.
Its resilience to dry conditions, due to efficient water usage, makes it an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens. While it tolerates a range of soil pH levels, good drainage remains paramount to prevent root rot and ensure its long-term health.
Principles of Companion Planting
Successful companion planting around Mexican Feather Grass involves matching environmental requirements, ensuring all plants share similar needs for light, water, and soil conditions. Plants should thrive in full sun and well-draining soil to avoid stressing the planting.
Introducing plants with contrasting forms, such as broad-leaved succulents or upright perennials, highlight the delicate nature of the feather grass. Seasonal interest should also be considered, selecting companions that offer blooms or foliage changes throughout the year to maintain visual appeal.
Ideal Companion Plant Categories
Drought-Tolerant Perennials
Drought-tolerant perennials serve as excellent companions, sharing the feather grass’s preference for dry, sunny conditions while providing structural contrast and color.
Lavender varieties, such as English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), offer fragrant purple spikes that complement the grass’s golden tones.
Salvia species, including ‘May Night’ or ‘Caradonna’, present upright flower spikes in shades of blue and purple, attracting pollinators and adding vertical interest.
Sedum varieties, particularly upright types like ‘Autumn Joy’ or groundcovers like ‘Dragon’s Blood’, provide succulent foliage and late-season blooms, contrasting with the grass’s fine texture.
Echinacea, or Coneflower, offers sturdy, daisy-like blooms that stand out against the wispy backdrop of the grass, further enhancing the garden’s resilience.
Flowering Annuals for Seasonal Color
Flowering annuals can be strategically interplanted to introduce vibrant, temporary splashes of color, easily refreshed each season. Cosmos, with their airy foliage and cheerful daisy-like flowers, provide a delicate appearance and wide color range. Marigolds, especially the smaller French varieties, bring warm yellows and oranges, thriving in full sun and contributing to a continuous floral display. Zinnias, known for their bright, long-lasting blooms, offer a bolder presence and come in diverse forms and sizes, creating a dynamic contrast with the feather grass.
Succulents and Cacti
For gardens embracing a xeriscape or arid aesthetic, succulents and small cacti offer striking textural and form contrasts. Various Sedum groundcovers and Sempervivum (hens and chicks) provide rosettes of fleshy leaves, creating a dense, colorful carpet beneath the grass. Small Agave varieties, such as Agave parryi or Agave victoriae-reginae, introduce architectural interest with their sculptural forms, standing as bold counterpoints to the soft movement of the feather grass. These plants share the grass’s need for excellent drainage and minimal water, making them ideal partners in a low-maintenance planting scheme.
Other Ornamental Grasses
Incorporating other ornamental grasses can create a layered, textural tapestry within the garden, provided they do not overshadow the Mexican Feather Grass. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) offers a contrasting cool blue hue and a mounding form. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) introduces upright, reddish-purple tones in the fall, complementing the feather grass’s golden transition. Carex species, particularly those with fine foliage like Carex testacea (Orange Sedge), can offer a slightly different texture and color, enhancing the overall grass composition without overwhelming the delicate nature of Nassella tenuissima.
Shrubs and Sub-shrubs
Low-growing shrubs and sub-shrubs can provide evergreen structure or seasonal interest, acting as anchors within the planting. Low-growing Juniper varieties, such as ‘Blue Star’ or ‘Prostrata’, offer year-round blue-green foliage and a spreading habit contrasting with the upright grass. Dwarf Conifers, like dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo ‘Mops’), provide a dense, rounded form and textural difference. Some Cotoneaster species, particularly the prostrate forms, offer small leaves and berries, adding seasonal interest while maintaining a low profile. These shrubs contribute to the garden’s underlying structure, ensuring visual appeal even when the grass is dormant.
Designing with Mexican Feather Grass and Companions
When arranging Mexican Feather Grass with its companions, consider principles like repetition to create a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the planting. Strategic placement can establish focal points, perhaps by highlighting a particularly striking succulent or a vibrant cluster of salvias against the backdrop of the grass. Always account for the mature size of each plant to ensure adequate spacing, preventing overcrowding and allowing each specimen to reach its full potential.
These combined plantings can lend themselves to various garden styles, including naturalistic designs that mimic wild landscapes, or structured xeriscape gardens focused on water conservation. They are also suitable for modern minimalist gardens, highlighting the grass’s simple elegance, or even cottage gardens, adding a touch of informal grace.
Ongoing Care for Combined Plantings
Maintaining a mixed planting featuring Mexican Feather Grass and its companions is generally straightforward. Once established, supplemental watering should be minimal, as most companions are drought-tolerant. Fertilization is rarely necessary; an annual application of compost around the base of the plants in spring can provide sufficient nutrients. Mexican Feather Grass benefits from being cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, typically to about 6-12 inches from the ground. Companions may require occasional deadheading of spent flowers or light trimming to maintain their shape and encourage continued vigor.