Plant problems

Why Are My Deschampsia Leaves Curling?

Q: Why are my deschampsia leaves curling?

Deschampsia (tufted hair grass or wavy hair grass) leaves curl and brown most commonly in UK gardens because of drought stress (Deschampsia cespitosa, the most commonly grown species, prefers consistently moist, moderately fertile, acid to neutral soil; the fine, dark green, sharply-pointed leaves curl inward along their length when the root zone dries out, particularly in the first growing season after planting or in container-grown specimens in a hot, dry UK summer), too much sun in a dry position (deschampsia cespitosa grows naturally in damp meadows, woodland clearings, and waterside habitats in the UK; in a hot, exposed, full-sun position in light, dry soil, the leaves bleach from dark green to yellowish-brown and curl as heat and moisture stress combine; the cultivars such as 'Goldtau', 'Bronzeschleier', and 'Tautraeger' are best in partial shade in moist soil), or clump congestion in an old, long-established specimen (deschampsia clumps gradually develop a dead, congested centre over five to seven years; the outer growth continues vigorously but the inner sections produce brown, matted, curling dead growth that reduces the overall quality of the plant). Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hair grass) is a native UK grass of damp meadows, woodland clearings, moorland, and waterside habitats; it produces dense, dark green, evergreen clumps of very fine, sharply-pointed leaves (typically 30 to 60 cm) and in summer an extraordinary cloud-like display of hundreds of delicate, airy, arching flower panicles to 120 cm, initially green, flushing through silver, gold, and bronze as the season progresses.

Q: Is deschampsia easy to grow in the UK?

Deschampsia cespitosa is one of the most adaptable and reliable ornamental grasses for UK gardens; it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerates partial to quite deep shade (one of the best ornamental grasses for shade), grows in a range of soil types from acid to neutral, tolerates clay soils (unusual among ornamental grasses), and is relatively tolerant of dry conditions once established. Its tolerance of shade and clay makes it particularly valuable for positions where most other ornamental grasses would struggle or fail. The named cultivars ('Goldtau' syn. 'Gold Dew', 'Bronzeschleier' syn. 'Bronze Veil', 'Tautraeger' syn. 'Dew Bearer') are selected for particularly fine or colourful flower displays and are excellent choices for a mixed or naturalistic border. The one significant limitation is the gradual development of a dead, congested centre in mature clumps; division every four to five years in spring addresses this and is straightforward. The combination of shade tolerance, clay tolerance, naturalised UK occurrence, and extraordinarily beautiful summer flower display makes deschampsia one of the most underused but most rewarding ornamental grasses for UK gardens.

Q: How do I grow deschampsia in the UK?

Deschampsia cespitosa grows best in partial shade to dappled light in moist, moderately fertile, acid to neutral soil; it performs particularly well in the kind of moist, shaded or semi-shaded conditions found in a woodland garden, a north-facing border, or alongside a pond or stream where the soil never fully dries out. It also performs well in clay soils that retain moisture through the growing season, making it one of the few ornamental grasses genuinely suited to heavy UK clay in a partially shaded position. Plant from spring to early autumn; space at 45 to 60 cm for individual specimens in a border, or 30 to 40 cm apart for a naturalistic drift planting. Water consistently through the first growing season to establish the root system; once established, deschampsia in moist clay or loam soil is largely self-sufficient. The extraordinary summer flower display (hundreds of airy, delicate panicles on arching stems to 120 cm) appears from June to August; the dried panicles persist through autumn into winter and provide structural interest. Cut back the entire clump to 5 to 10 cm in late February or early March before new growth begins; the clump regenerates quickly and produces fresh new dark green leaves through spring. Divide congested, dead-centred clumps every four to five years in spring; replant vigorous outer sections in refreshed soil.

Q: What is the difference between deschampsia cespitosa and deschampsia flexuosa?

Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hair grass) and Deschampsia flexuosa (wavy hair grass) are both native UK grasses that are broadly similar in appearance but differ significantly in preferred habitat, soil, and garden use. Deschampsia cespitosa is a large, clump-forming perennial (to 60 cm in leaf, 120 cm in flower) that grows in damp, moderately fertile, neutral to slightly acid soil in damp meadows, woodland clearings, and waterside habitats; it tolerates clay, shade, and moist conditions and is the species primarily grown as an ornamental garden grass with numerous named cultivars. Deschampsia flexuosa (wavy hair grass) is smaller (to 30 to 40 cm in flower) with finer, more tightly curling leaves, and grows naturally in acid, infertile, well-drained soils on heathland, moorland, and upland habitats; it is better suited to dry, acid, sandy, heathland conditions than D. cespitosa and has fewer named ornamental cultivars but is valuable for naturalising in acid heathland gardens and for dry, sandy, acid soil positions where D. cespitosa would struggle. In garden practice, the name 'deschampsia' almost always refers to D. cespitosa and its cultivars; D. flexuosa is more of a specialist choice for acid, sandy, or heathland conditions.

Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hair grass) is a native UK grass of damp meadows and woodland clearings, producing dense evergreen clumps of fine, dark green leaves and an extraordinary cloud of hundreds of airy, delicate flower panicles from June to August. One of the best ornamental grasses for shade and clay soils. Drought and excessive sun cause leaf curl; the plant thrives where most ornamental grasses cannot.

Drought stress

Drought is the most common cause of deschampsia leaf curl; the very fine, dark green leaves curl inward along their length when the root zone dries out. Container-grown plants and newly planted specimens in their first season are most vulnerable. Deschampsia comes from naturally moist habitats and is not adapted to sustained drought; although established plants in clay or loam soil tolerate short dry periods, prolonged drought in summer causes progressive curling, browning, and die-back of the older outer leaves.

What to do

Water consistently through the first growing season; established plants in moist soil rarely need supplementary watering except in prolonged drought. Apply a 5 to 8 cm bark or leaf mould mulch in spring to retain soil moisture. Container plants need checking daily in hot weather; water when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry. A position in partial shade with moist soil eliminates drought stress almost entirely in UK conditions.

Too much sun in dry conditions

Deschampsia in a hot, exposed, full-sun position in dry or light soil bleaches from its characteristic dark green to yellowish-brown and the leaves curl as heat and moisture stress combine. The fine-textured, delicate leaf structure is not adapted to the intense moisture loss of a hot, sunny, dry position. This is most obvious in summer in a light, sandy, south-facing border where the plant struggles to maintain leaf moisture in heat.

What to do

Move to a partially shaded or dappled position in moist soil; deschampsia does not need sun to perform well and actually produces its characteristic cloud of flower panicles just as effectively in partial shade as in full sun. A north or west-facing border in moist clay or loam is often the ideal position in a UK garden. If relocation is not possible, improve moisture retention by mulching heavily and water more frequently through the summer months.

Clump congestion

Long-established deschampsia clumps develop a dead, matted, congested centre after five to seven years; the outer growth continues vigorously but the inner sections produce brown, curling dead growth that makes the overall clump look tired and untidy. This is a natural process rather than a disease or cultural failure; regular division every four to five years prevents the problem from developing.

What to do

Divide congested clumps in spring (March to April); lift the entire clump, discard the dead central sections, and replant vigorous outer sections in refreshed soil at the original spacing. Alternatively, cut back the entire clump to 5 to 10 cm in late February each year; the annual cut-back removes accumulated dead and tatty material and stimulates a full flush of fresh, dark green new growth. Both approaches keep deschampsia looking its best indefinitely.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my deschampsia leaves curling?

Deschampsia leaves curl most commonly because of drought stress (fine leaves curl inward when roots dry out; water consistently; mulch in spring; partial shade with moist soil eliminates the problem), too much sun in dry conditions (bleaching and curl in hot, dry, sunny positions; move to partial shade in moist soil), or clump congestion after five to seven years (dead centre, brown curling inner growth; divide in spring or cut back to 5 to 10 cm in late February annually). One of the best shade and clay-tolerant grasses available for UK gardens.

Is deschampsia easy to grow in the UK?

Deschampsia cespitosa is one of the most adaptable ornamental grasses for UK gardens: fully hardy, tolerates partial to quite deep shade, grows well in clay, and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Its tolerance of shade and clay fills a gap left by most other ornamental grasses, which need sun and free drainage. Named cultivars ('Goldtau', 'Bronzeschleier', 'Tautraeger') are selected for particularly fine or colourful flower displays from June to August.

How do I grow deschampsia in the UK?

Grow in partial shade to dappled light in moist, moderately fertile, acid to neutral soil; tolerates clay and quite deep shade, making it ideal for shaded or north-facing borders. Plant 45 to 60 cm apart as specimens, 30 to 40 cm for naturalistic drifts. Water through the first season; self-sufficient once established in moist soil. Cut back to 5 to 10 cm in late February. The extraordinary cloud of airy flower panicles appears from June to August. Divide every four to five years in spring.

What is the difference between deschampsia cespitosa and deschampsia flexuosa?

D. cespitosa (tufted hair grass) is larger (to 120 cm in flower), grows in moist, neutral to acid soil, tolerates shade and clay, and is the ornamental garden species with many named cultivars. D. flexuosa (wavy hair grass) is smaller with finer curling leaves, grows in dry, acid, infertile, sandy or peaty heathland and moorland soil, and is more of a specialist choice for acid heathland gardens. In garden contexts, 'deschampsia' almost always means D. cespitosa.