Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

10-14 Inches

Mature Spread

10-14 Inches

Although not a true grass, Isolepis cernua aka Scirpus cernuus, is a grass like annual in many parts of the United States and perennial in others. Where it is perennial, it is evergreen. In colder climates it should be treated as an annual and will not return the following spring on the same roots. Tiny white fluffy flowers bloom at the very tip of the stem giving credence to the name Fiber Optic Grass. Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass is an award winner in northern and southern gardens.

Native to North America in Zones 8a through 10b, all other zones can plant this annual out after all danger of frost has passed. It thrives in part to full sun, and makes a great border, edging or mass planting in your spring garden. It also makes a great container plant and can be brought indoors before the first frost to give you the benefit of its evergreen capabilities. It is also a marginal wetland plant that would look great in your water feature.

Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass Care

Care is easy as long as you meet its growing requirements. Full sun, moist peaty, sandy soil, or even a shallow spot in your water garden edge will give it the water it craves. Soil pH should be slightly acidic at 5.8 to 6.2 as most annuals prefer. Give it regular fertilizing if kept in containers and a water soluble fertilizer if in a water garden (be sure to check for fish safe fertilizers if you have a fish population).

Deadheading is not required as the plant creates its own appeal by changing its white silvery flowers to a brown/tan seed pod that is not unattractive on its own. You can prune it back by about ⅓ by shearing it straight across and it will put out new growth. Dividing the root ball can be done in early spring/late winter, but be aware this creates a cold sensitive plant at that point and in colder climates it may not survive the winter.

Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass Spacing

Spacing is not really crucial for this grass-like plant as they only grow up to 14 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Plantings should be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart for a low mounding/cascading effect in large containers. Pair this annual with other full sun annuals like papyrus, hypoestes, sedum, argyranthemum, coleus, calibrachoa, euphorbia and salvia just to name a few. The medium green hair-like stems contrast well with warm and cool palette color schemes.

SKU:

SCIFO