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- Height 10-14 Inches
- Width 10-14 Inches
- Use as a filler when using in containers
- Award winning plant perfect for water features!
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.
Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Bloom Period: Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer |
| Foliage Color(s) Green |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
| Height Class: Short |
| Height: 10-14 Inches |
| Spread: 10-14 Inches |
| Spacing: 10-12 Inches |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Watering: Average |
| Drought Tolerant: No |
| Container Role: Filler |
| Use Types: Container, Houseplant, Landscape |
| Features: Native to North America, Deadheading Not Necessary |
| Maintenance: Easy |
| Scientific Name: Isolepis (Scirpus) cernuus |
| Common Name: Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass |
| Other Name(s): |
| Plant Type: Annual |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
- SKU:
- SCIFOQT
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
