Carried by 13 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Nodding Needle Grass is a native grass that grows in many parts of California, primarily in the Coast Ranges from Tehama County southward at elevations from sea level to 5,000 ft. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. There have been some taxonomic changes related to this genus (Needlegrass) over the years, and some sources may refer to it as Nasella. The Stipas generally have been a major component of California's native grasslands. In the garden it is best used in small patches between chaparral or sage scrub species and mixed with various perennial herbs and annuals.
Grass
2 - 3 ft Tall
2 ft Wide
Fountain
Fast
Winter Deciduous
None
Brown, Cream, Purple
Spring, Summer
Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 2x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 15° F
Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
For propagating by seed: No treatment.
7*, 8, 9, 11, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Grasslands and openings in coastal sage scrub, chaparral or woodlands in coastal foothills and valleys
Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland
Use in the spaces between any chaparral shrubs or subshrubs, along with Milkweed (Asclepias spp.), California Thistle (Cirsium occidentale), Clarkia spp., Larkspur (Delphinium spp.), Lupine (Lupinus spp.), Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.), Phacelia spp., and with various geophytes such as native onions (Allium spp.), Mariposa Lily (Calochortus spp.), Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), and many others
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 3 likely