Gold Rush Nursery

Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand wind grass)

Native to the North and South Islands of New Zealand, Anemanthele lessoniana is an eyecatching evergreen grass with striking orange foliage. It forms a large, slightly arching clump that grows up to 3' wide and 3' tall. The graceful stems move with the slightest breeze, hence the common name of New Zealand wind grass.

In its native habitat, New Zealand wind grass is a woodland species and, therefore, quite shade tolerant. However, it is also quite tolerant of sunny locations where the foliage will be much more orange than in the shade.Plant in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist while the plant is establishing. New Zealand wind grass can be slow to get going, but the dramatic foliage is well worth the wait.

New Zeland wind grass is cold hardy to 15°F.

This can be a slow-growing grass sometimes, but the dramatic coppery-orange foliage is well worth the time it sometimes takes to establish.

Abundant flowering stems are produced in early summer which arch a few inches above the foliage. Featheryflowers are reddish or purplish-pink when they first open and remain colorful for a few weeks.

Use New Zealand wind grass as a small specimen plantor plant it in groups for a really dramatic effect.