Nasella (Stipa) tenuissima and Spirea ‘Magic Carpet’

Mexican Feather Grass and Spirea

The perfect plant for Oklahoma gardens. Stipa is native to the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and Argentina, but it fits all my criteria for the prairie aesthetic. Its open, airy, and delicate adding motion to the garden. This plant takes full sun and prefers well-drained soil, but I find it is not too picky about it. Its hardy, I wait until spring to shear it. It will self sow from seed but I love that about it! I don’t find it overly invasive and around the end of May I move the little fellows around to where I want them. As for the Spirea, plant this this little ‘Gold Mound’ cultivar in the perennial border and keep it sheared back. I really don’t like the pink flowers and would rather see the golden foliage. Very hardy in zones USDA Zones 4-9.