More Information About Nassella
In the 1990s, plant taxonomists (Barkworth 1990 and Torres 1997) reassigned dozens of the almost 400 species of the popular ornamental grass stipa into the genus nassella. Gardeners and plant retailers have been slow to adopt the name nassella for their ornamental stipas and as a result, both nassella and stipa are used interchangeably in the industry today. However, these are still two separate genera with the latest incarnation of nassella containing roughly 115 species and stipa still containing over 300 species of ornamental grass.
Plants in the genus nassella are native to North and South America and are important native ornamental grass plants that are unfortunately being squeezed out of their traditional habitat by European grasses. They are popular native ornamental grasses for the landscape (especially Nassella tenuissima) because they are tough, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant and quite beautiful. Nassella species prefer full sun and well-drained soils. They can rot in winter if the soil is too moist so plant in amended soil above the surrounding grade or on a slope. They are also perfect rock garden plants. As you might expect from a native ornamental grass, nassella species will seed around the garden if conditions are right which means you will always have plenty of Nassella for your own garden as well as for sharing. When you are ready to buy nassella for your garden, check out our online offering of nassella for sale. If you want to buy other ornamental grass plants, check out the special "ornamental grasses" link on our site for a list of ornamental grasses for sale.