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Anemanthele Lessoniana

Anemanthele Lessoniana

Wind Grass, Gossamer Grass

$7.50
$7.50
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Anemanthele lessoniana (Windgrass) is a hardy NZ native grass grown for soft movement and year-round colour, especially in South Island gardens where wind and dry spells can punish fussier plants. It forms an arching, fountain-like clump of fine leaves that often pick up warm bronze/copper tones through the cooler months, then freshen up again in spring.

This is a brilliant choice for mass planting on banks, edging along paths, mixing through native plantings, or adding texture around modern builds. Once established it’s generally drought-tolerant, copes with wind and coastal conditions, and can handle a range of soils as long as it’s not sitting wet.

Honest heads-up: it can self-seed and may naturalise in some gardens, so it’s worth snipping off seed heads if you want it to stay put.

  • Expected 5 Year Height 0.6 M Width 0.6 M

Is Anemanthele Lessoniana suitable for my garden?

Anemanthele Lessoniana is best suited in a position that gets

  • Full sun
  • Partial shade

Anemanthele Lessoniana is

  • NZ Native
  • Drought resistant once established
  • Wind Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant
  • Coastal Friendly
  • Fast-growing
  • Cold hardy
  • Evergreen

Anemanthele Lessoniana will thrive in soil that is

How to establish your Anemanthele Lessoniana?

Position: Full sun to partial shade. More sun generally = stronger colour and denser growth.

Soil: Best in free-draining soil. It will tolerate a range (even heavier soils) but doesn’t like damp/waterlogged spots.

Watering (first summer): Water deeply during dry spells until roots are established; after that it’s usually pretty self-sufficient.

Spacing: Allow about 1 m+ per plant for a natural clump, or closer if you’re aiming for a fuller drift. (Mature spread can reach 1–1.5 m.)

How to maintain your Anemanthele Lessoniana once established?

Tidy-up: In late winter/early spring, comb out dead leaves by hand (gloves help) and remove scruffy bits to let new growth through.

Cutting back: Avoid hard “mow-down” pruning unless it’s really necessary. It can be cut back hard to rejuvenate, but there’s a known risk of the plant failing afterwards—gentle is safer.

Seed control: If you don’t want seedlings popping up, snip off flower/seed heads as they finish.

Feeding: Usually not required; a light spring feed is optional if growth looks hungry.
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