A handsome large tussock grass with fine blue-green foliage forming soft fountain-like clumps topped by airy summer seed heads. A movement-rich native for mass planting and erosion control.
At a glance
- Plant type: Ornamental grass
- Mature size: 1 m H × 1 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Common Tussock Grass
Poa labillardierei is a fast-growing ornamental grass in the Poaceae family, native to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It reaches around 1 m tall and 1 m wide at maturity, with evergreen and silver-grey foliage. Cream green flowers appear in summer.
Where to grow Common Tussock Grass
Common Tussock Grass suits cool-temperate, warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Common Tussock Grass does best in clay and loamy soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Common Tussock Grass performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. For the first year, favour occasional deep watering over frequent shallow drinks so roots move into the surrounding soil.
Pruning & care
Prune Common Tussock Grass after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. For most gardens, it is low maintenance.
Using Common Tussock Grass in the garden
Common Tussock Grass earns its place for holding soil on banks and slopes, a feature or specimen planting and cut flowers for the vase.
Companion planting & design
Common Tussock Grass sits most comfortably beside plants adapted to low water use and cool-temperate climate. A small cluster gives stronger visual impact than isolated plants scattered through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Common Tussock Grass
Plant Sale lists Common Tussock Grass as tube stock, potted plants and seed. Use the quote builder above to ask about current stock, sizes and pricing.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Common Tussock Grass seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
