Foothill needlegrass
Stipa lepida
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
Slow, Medium; Adaptable but often found in clay loam.
2–3ft tall , 2–2ft wide
Mar-Aug
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Grasslands and oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, interior valleys, and Coast Ranges, below 2500 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Foothill Needlegrass in full sun or part shade in fall or winter when the plant is actively growing. It adapts to various soils but thrives in clay loam with medium to slow drainage - you don't need to amend heavily. Space plants 2–3 feet apart to accommodate their mature mounding form, and position them on slopes or in well-draining areas where water won't collect around the base.
After Planting
Water occasionally during the first summer to establish the deep root system, but taper off by fall; once established, never irrigate this plant - it will rot if overwatered, even with summer water. Expect the plant to go partially or fully dormant and lose foliage from mid to late summer through autumn, which is normal cool-season grass behavior. This is an easy-care plant that asks for one thing: restraint with the hose. The #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make is treating it like other plants and watering on a regular schedule.
Visit Calscape for more information about Foothill needlegrass
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Threatened; Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Birds
resident species in California foothill grasslands
critical fall and winter seed diet in California grasslands
migration staging and overwintering seed resource
resident species foraging in foothill scrub and grassland
Mammals
primary grass forage in California grassland habitat
harvests and caches grass seeds for winter food stores
forage in California Sierra Nevada foothill grasslands