Nassella tenuissima (syn. Stipa tenuissima)
Light: Full sun to light shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix, especially near heat-reflecting walls.
Water: Low water once established; water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Provide occasional supplemental water during prolonged Phoenix heat.
Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil but dislikes persistently wet conditions.
Mature size: 18–24 inches tall and wide; flowering stems may reach 30 inches.
Bloom: Spring to early summer; feathery seed heads persist into summer.
Evergreen / deciduous: Semi-evergreen in Phoenix; foliage may turn straw-colored during extreme heat, drought, or cold.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast during cooler growing periods.