Stipa (Celtica) gigantea 'Gold Fontaene' AGM

Giant Golden Oat Grass Poaceae

A spectacular golden selection of Giant Feather Grass, Celtica gigantea ‘Gold Fontaene’ forms substantial, upright clumps of narrow, blue-green foliage, above which an extraordinary fountain of tall, feathery flowerheads emerges in early summer. The panicles open greenish before maturing through cream and straw to a soft, luminous golden-yellow, catching every scrap of sunlight and giving the plant its suitably extravagant name. The flower stems remain remarkably architectural well into winter, when frost and low light turn the whole plant into a glowing mass of dried gold. Unlike many large ornamental grasses, it is non-invasive and clump-forming, making a substantial statement without attempting a garden takeover. Particularly useful in dry, sunny borders, gravel gardens and naturalistic planting, it performs best in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil and is notably drought tolerant once established.

Cultivar origin: Selected by the renowned German nurseryman Ernst Pagels.
Flowering: June–August
Hardiness: H4, approximately −10 to −5°C
Height: 250–400 cm
Spread: 100–150 cm