{"title":"Tussock Grasses (Poa)","description":"\u003cp\u003eTussock grasses are the native grasses that give an Australian garden its soft, moving texture, and they ask for almost nothing in return. The poas form fine-leaved clumps 35cm to 1m high in green, grey and blue, carry airy seed heads in summer, and shelter skinks and small birds. This range has six forms for mass planting, borders, slopes and naturalistic gardens, from the common tussock grass to the dwarf grey. Every plant is delivered Australia wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose a tussock grass\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose by height and colour. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/common-tussock-grass-poa-labillardieri\"\u003ecommon tussock grass\u003c\/a\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePoa labillardieri\u003c\/em\u003e) is the largest, a dense green-grey clump about 1m tall and 90cm wide with plumes held above the leaves in summer; it is the grass of south-eastern grasslands and creek flats and the one to use for scale. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/coastal-tussock-grass-poa-poiformis\"\u003eCoastal tussock grass\u003c\/a\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePoa poiformis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a little shorter at 70cm, blue-green and salt tolerant, the natural choice near the sea. The \u003cem\u003ePoa sieberiana\u003c\/em\u003e forms are finer and smaller: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/grey-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana\"\u003egrey tussock grass\u003c\/a\u003e and its blue variety sit around 60cm with narrow silver-grey or blue leaves, and the dwarf grey stays about 35cm, neat enough for a border edge or a pot. Rustic is a compact selection to 60cm with a bronze tint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere tussock grasses work\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun to light shade in almost any soil, from heavy clay to sand. Poas are at home in native and bush gardens, meadow and prairie-style plantings, mass plantings along driveways and on slopes that need holding, the edges of dams and swales, and verges. They grow in every capital city, take frost and drought once established, and the coastal tussock takes salt wind. In Brisbane and the subtropics they prefer a little afternoon shade and good drainage. Plant them in drifts of one kind rather than mixing colours, and pair them with kangaroo paws, lomandras and the other plants in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-for-landscaping\"\u003egrasses for landscaping\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eAustralian natives\u003c\/a\u003e ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in autumn or spring. Space the common and coastal tussocks 70cm to 80cm apart for a continuous sweep, the grey and blue forms 50cm, and the dwarf grey 35cm to 40cm. Tubestock establishes quickly and is the economical way to plant a large area. Water weekly through the first summer; after that, rain is usually enough except in long droughts. Our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eornamental grasses in garden design\u003c\/a\u003e covers how to lay out a planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe one job is the annual cut. In late winter, before new growth, cut each clump back to about 10cm to 15cm and remove the old leaves; the clump refreshes within weeks and flowers better for it. In fire-prone areas this cut also removes the dry fuel a tussock holds, and the grasses are kept well away from the house. Feed lightly or not at all, since rich soil makes them floppy. Divide old clumps in autumn if the centre dies out. Poas self-seed a little in open soil; the seedlings are easily hoed or kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should tussock grass be cut back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce a year in late winter, to about 10cm to 15cm. Skipping it leaves a thatch of dead leaves in the centre and the clump looks tired by midsummer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre poa tussock grasses native?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Poa labillardieri, Poa poiformis and Poa sieberiana all grow naturally across south-eastern Australia, and they are among the most useful grasses for habitat planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo tussock grasses need much water?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly while they establish. After the first summer they survive on rainfall in most of Australia and stay greener with an occasional deep soak in drought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich tussock grass suits a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dwarf grey tussock and the blue Poa sieberiana, both under 60cm. Use a premium mix and water more often than you would in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"common-tussock-grass-poa-labillardieri","title":"Common Tussock Grass - Poa labillardieri","description":"\u003cp\u003eCommon Tussock Grass (\u003cem\u003ePoa labillardierei\u003c\/em\u003e) is the blue green native tussock specified when a planting has to survive both drought and periods of standing water. It forms a soft weeping clump about 1m tall and close to 1m across, topped in the warmer months with airy seed heads that move in the slightest breeze. Native to south eastern Australia, fast growing and pet safe, it is one of the most useful structural grasses going.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought tolerant and wet feet tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e That combination is rare. One plant handles a dry summer and a waterlogged winter in the same bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement and softness.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine weeping foliage and tall seed heads give a planting motion that clipped shrubs cannot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast growing.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mass planting closes far more quickly than most natives, so a bare bed looks established inside a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian native and pet safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Local to the south east, good habitat for small birds and insects, and not toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart for a dense sweep, roughly three plants per square metre. Because the mature clump reaches close to 1m across, the foliage merges into a continuous soft surface within a season or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwales, slopes and coastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is where it beats almost everything else. Strong fibrous roots bind soil on a batter or above a retaining wall, the plant is untroubled by water sitting around it after heavy rain, and wind tolerance suits an exposed block.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Common Tussock Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the fullest, most upright clump, though it accepts part shade with fewer seed heads. It grows in cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens and is frost hardy, so cold southern and tableland sites are within range. The wet tropics sit outside its comfort zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost anything. Clay, loam, sand and gravel all work, and unlike most grasses it does not need free drainage. Mulch 50mm deep, clear of the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water twice a week through the first summer, then leave it to natural rain in all but the longest dry spells. A native fertiliser in early spring speeds things up if you are closing a mass planting quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut back to about 15cm in late winter every two or three years. This is the one job the plant genuinely needs, because old leaf builds up in the centre and the tussock goes grey and thin without it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in one size, a 140mm pot sold in packs of ten. Each plant arrives as an established young tussock with roots filling the pot, and ten plants at 60cm spacing cover roughly three and a half square metres. That pack size suits how this grass is normally used, in drifts rather than as single specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrasses travel well. Foliage arrives folded and creased, and it lifts within a fortnight of planting. Because it is fast growing, expect a full clump inside about eighteen months. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eDesigning a garden with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-for-landscaping\"\u003eBrowse grasses for landscaping\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eSee the full Australian native range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/planning-your-coastal-feature-garden\"\u003ePlanning a coastal feature garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty centimetres apart for a mass planting, about three plants per square metre. Mature clumps reach close to a metre across, so the foliage overlaps into a continuous surface without the crowns competing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with a spot that floods after heavy rain?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is both drought tolerant and wet feet tolerant, which is why it is used in swales and rain gardens. Water sitting for a few days after a storm will not harm it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need cutting back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery two or three years, down to about 15cm in late winter. Leave it too long and dead leaf accumulates in the middle, leaving the clump grey and open rather than soft and full.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":44943234990399,"sku":"QLD","price":181.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100352790847,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250mm (Pack of 3) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100352823615,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Common-Tussock-Grass-Poa-labillardieri.jpg?v=1741858456"},{"product_id":"coastal-tussock-grass-poa-poiformis","title":"Coastal Tussock Grass - Poa poiformis","description":"\u003cp\u003eCoastal Tussock Grass (\u003cem\u003ePoa poiformis\u003c\/em\u003e) is the native tussock to reach for when a site is exposed, sandy and impossible to keep watered. It forms a neat blue green clump about 70cm tall and 60cm across, holds that shape without trimming, and grows naturally on the dunes and headlands of south eastern Australia. Salt spray, wind and poor soil are its normal conditions rather than a hardship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for the coast.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt tolerant, wind tolerant and used in dune stabilisation, so a front line seaside bed is well within its range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue green colour all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen fine foliage that reads as a cool contrast against grey timber and concrete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTidy and low maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 70cm by 60cm tussock that does not run or flop, drought tolerant once established and frost hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pet friendly grass, so it can go in a bed the dog walks past every day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and coastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart for a dense mass planting. At that spacing the tussocks knit into a continuous drift within two seasons and shade out most weeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row at 50cm centres gives a soft, informal edge to a path, low enough that it never blocks sight lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetaining walls, slopes and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fibrous roots bind loose sandy soil, so it holds a bank together or softens the top of a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Coastal Tussock Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the tightest, bluest clumps. It belongs in warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern winters are not an issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy and free draining is ideal, and poor soil is fine. What it will not accept is heavy clay that stays wet in winter, so on those sites mound the planting position and open the soil with coarse sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer to get the roots down, then leave it alone in all but long dry spells. A light native fertiliser in early spring is plenty, and rich soil only makes the foliage soft and floppy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e None required. If a clump looks tired after three or four years, cut it back to about 15cm in early spring and it will reshoot cleanly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in three sizes. Tubes are the economical choice for a large planting and reach full size within about two seasons. The 140mm plants come in packs of ten and the 200mm plants in packs of six, both already forming a visible tussock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrasses travel well. Expect some bent or creased foliage on arrival, which grows out within weeks and is not a fault. Plant straight away, water in, and expect roots to take hold within a month in the warmer months. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare options in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003ecoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003edesigning with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many plants do I need per square metre?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 50cm spacing you need four plants per square metre for a dense mass planting. For a looser look with mulch showing between the clumps, stretch it to 70cm and use two or three.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow right on the beachfront?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. This is one of the species used to stabilise coastal dunes, so salt spray and sand are its natural conditions. It still needs regular water for the first summer while the roots establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is pet friendly and not toxic to cats or dogs, and the foliage is fine textured rather than sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it self seed into the garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt sets seed, but it is not aggressive and seedlings pull out easily. Cut the flowering stems off before the heads ripen if you would rather avoid it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51647802540351,"sku":"QLD-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54140080914751,"sku":null,"price":184.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140080947519,"sku":null,"price":213.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250mm (Pack of 3) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100493103423,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Coastal-Tussock-Grass-Poa-poiformis.png?v=1766224008"},{"product_id":"tussock-grass-poa-rustic","title":"Tussock Grass - Poa ‘Rustic’","description":"\u003cp\u003eTussock Grass 'Rustic' (\u003cem\u003ePoa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Rustic') is a compact Australian native tussock with fine bronze green blades, forming a soft mound about 60cm tall and 60cm wide. It gives movement and texture without the bulk of a full sized tussock, and it is tough where it counts: frost, drought, salt spray, wind and periodically wet soil all sit within its range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native that handles the hard spots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant, salt tolerant and comfortable with wet feet, which is a rare combination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine bronze green texture.\u003c\/strong\u003e The narrow blades catch light and move in a breeze, softening the hard edges of paving, rock and rendered walls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact enough to use in numbers.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 60cm each way it stays in scale where a larger tussock would take over a suburban bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly, bird friendly, almost no work.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, good shelter for small birds, and a shear every couple of years is the whole program.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and groundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in drifts and the clumps knit into a continuous textured layer within two seasons. This is the most effective way to use it, and the cheapest per square metre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row at 50cm spacing softens a path or driveway edge, and it holds its shape rather than flopping the way long lawn grasses do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and wind tolerance make it a genuine coastal plant, and the compact mound suits pockets between rocks where soil is shallow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tussock Grass 'Rustic' in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the best colour and the tightest clump. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens, which covers most of the settled country. The wet tropics sit outside its range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Wet feet tolerance sets it apart from most ornamental grasses: ground that stays damp for days after rain will not kill it. Work compost through thin sandy ground first, then mulch 50mm deep while plants fill in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water twice a week through the first summer, then it runs on rainfall with a deep soak through long dry spells. A light native slow release fertiliser in early spring is plenty, since overfed grasses grow soft and flop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nothing at all for the first year or two. When the centre starts to look thatchy, shear the clump back to about 100mm in late winter and it reshoots quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis grass is sold as tube stock: small plants, usually a young clump about the size of your hand. That is the right way to buy something you will use fifty of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a slow first few months while roots go down, then rapid filling out through the first warm season. A tube planted in spring reads as a proper tussock by the following autumn. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, with our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eDesigning with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf range\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompanions from the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eAustralian native plant range\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-coastal-areas\"\u003eplants for coastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many plants do I need per square metre?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 50cm spacing you need four plants per square metre. That closes into continuous cover in about two seasons, and tighter spacing costs more without closing much faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for dogs and cats?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is not toxic to either. It also stands up to pets moving through a bed, though it is not a lawn substitute for a dog run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need to cut it back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Leave it alone until the clump looks thatchy in the centre, usually every second or third year, then shear it to about 100mm in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun is where it belongs. The bronze tones and the tight mound both depend on it, and in shade the clump opens out and reads plain green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51647804277055,"sku":"QLD-tube","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Tussock-Grass-Poa-Rustic.png?v=1766224012"},{"product_id":"grey-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana","title":"Grey Tussock Grass - Poa sieberiana","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrey Tussock Grass (\u003cem\u003ePoa sieberiana\u003c\/em\u003e) is the fine leaved native tussock to reach for when the broad strappy plants look too coarse. It forms a soft grey green clump about 60cm tall and 60cm wide, lifting to roughly 80cm when the airy seed heads rise. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, native to eastern Australia and safe around pets, it is an easy native to plant in numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine texture, not spiky.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hair thin grey green leaves that move with the wind, softer in a bed than lomandra or dianella.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough where it counts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost, heat, drought and poor rocky soil are all within range once the roots are down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt feeds small birds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Finches and wrens take the seed and use the clump for low cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly and low maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, and it asks for one cut back every second year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart, about four per square metre, in drifts rather than rows. At that spacing the clumps meet in two seasons and read as a single sweep of grass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row at 50cm softens the edge of a path or driveway, and at 60cm high it never blocks a sightline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and small gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits gravel and rocky ground, and a few clumps between larger shrubs give a native bed movement without bulk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Grey Tussock Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light shade. It is at home in cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, taking frost and summer heat alike. It is not the pick for the humid subtropics or tropics, where wet in the crown thins it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any reasonably drained soil, including poor, rocky and shallow ground. Rich, wet beds make it soft and floppy. Mulch lightly and keep the mulch clear of the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer, then rainfall carries it. A low phosphorus native fertiliser once in spring is enough, and only if growth looks weak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the clump back to about 10cm in late winter every second year, which clears old growth and brings on a fresh flush. In between, comb the dead leaf out by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree sizes are grown: tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of ten, and 200mm pots in packs of six. Tubes are the value option for a large drift. The 140mm and 200mm plants are a season or two ahead, for smaller beds where you want the look sooner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrasses often arrive with creased or browned leaf tips from transit. Trim the worst of it, plant, and water in. Expect little visible change for a month, then steady growth through the first warm season. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare options in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003edesigning with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eAustralian native range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee what else plants well in numbers in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mass-planting-plants\"\u003emass planting plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Poa is not toxic to cats or dogs, and the leaves are soft rather than sharp, so it is a sensible native grass for a garden with animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in a humid coastal or subtropical garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot well. It is built for cooler, drier and Mediterranean conditions, and in high humidity the centre of the clump stays damp and rots out. Choose a subtropical native grass instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it self seed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLightly, into bare ground and gravel. Seedlings are easy to pull or hoe, and removing the seed heads after flowering stops it if you would rather it stayed put.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I have to cut it back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every second winter is enough, and combing out the dead leaf works in between. Leaving it uncut for years is what produces a woody, hollow centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":54737629479231,"sku":"QLD-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54737629511999,"sku":null,"price":184.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6) (Backorder)","offer_id":54737629544767,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/grey-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana-9039ee.jpg?v=1785940974"},{"product_id":"blue-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana-cyanophylla","title":"Blue Tussock Grass - Poa sieberiana var. cyanophylla","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Tussock Grass (\u003cem\u003ePoa sieberiana\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003ecyanophylla\u003c\/em\u003e) is the native grass to use when you want soft blue tones and almost no upkeep. It forms a fine textured tussock about 60cm tall and 50cm across, holding its blue grey colour through summer heat and winter cold alike. Planted in numbers it reads as a low drift of moving colour rather than a row of individual plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue foliage that lasts all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The colour is in the leaf, not in a flower, so there is no season where the planting looks tired.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtremely low maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e No staking, no deadheading, no feeding schedule. One cut back every couple of years is the whole job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles poor, dry ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought tolerant, frost hardy, wind tolerant and content in thin or rocky soil where little else will hold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a pet friendly native, so it suits gardens where dogs run through the beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and groundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm to 50cm apart for a continuous drift. At that spacing the tussocks touch within two seasons and the planting shades out most weed seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row along a path or driveway gives a soft edge that never needs clipping, and the low height keeps sightlines open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and slopes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fibrous roots knit into gravelly ground and help hold a bank together, which makes it useful on embankments and around retaining walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blue Tussock Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun brings out the strongest blue; partial shade is tolerated but the colour turns greener and the clump opens up. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, and takes frost without damage. It is not a grass for the wet tropics, where constant humidity rots the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost anything that drains. Sand, gravel, thin clay and poor subsoil are all fine, and no soil improvement is needed. Avoid ground that stays boggy after rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer to settle the roots, then leave it to the weather in most gardens. Feeding is optional and largely unnecessary; heavy fertiliser only makes the growth soft and floppy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the whole clump back to about 100mm every second or third winter to clear old thatch and bring on fresh blue growth. Between those cuts, run your fingers through the tussock to pull out dead leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis grass is grown in tubes. Tube stock is young, usually a small fan of leaves 100mm to 150mm tall, and it is the right way to buy a native grass: cheap enough to plant in the hundreds, and quick to catch up because the root system is undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants travel well and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Plant into weed free ground, water in, and keep the soil damp for the first six weeks. Expect a full tussock by the end of the first growing season, and a closed drift in the second. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003edesigning with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mass-planting-plants\"\u003eplants suited to mass planting\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eplants that are safe for pets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many plants do I need per square metre?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 40cm spacing allow about six plants per square metre, and at 50cm about four. Use the tighter figure on visible ground you want covered quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it self seed into the garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt sets seed like most native grasses, and occasional seedlings appear in bare mulch. They pull out easily, and cutting the clumps back before the seed heads ripen reduces it further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it stay blue in shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot fully. The blue grey tone depends on sun, so a shaded plant reads more green and grows looser. Give it at least half a day of direct sun for the colour you are buying it for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":54741414969663,"sku":"QLD-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100591276351,"sku":null,"price":190.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100591309119,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana-cyanophylla-46c413.jpg?v=1785940656"},{"product_id":"dwarf-grey-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana-dwarf-grey","title":"Dwarf Grey Tussock Grass - Poa sieberiana 'Dwarf Grey'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDwarf Grey Tussock Grass (\u003cem\u003ePoa sieberiana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dwarf Grey') is a compact native tussock that holds a soft blue grey mound about 35cm tall and 40cm across. It is the grass to reach for when you want fine texture through a bed without the sprawl and annual mess of a full sized tussock. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and content in poor soil, it asks for very little once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt stays small and stays neat.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 35cm by 40cm it keeps its shape at the front of a bed instead of flopping open the way taller tussocks do.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely low maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant and untroubled by poor soil, so it lives on rainfall in most temperate gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft grey foliage that lifts green planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fine blue grey blades read as a cool contrast against dark shrubs, gravel and stone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian native and pet friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Native to south eastern Australia and not toxic, which makes it a sound choice for a family garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and groundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm to 40cm apart for a continuous drift. At that spacing the tussocks knit together within two seasons and shade out most weed seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders, edging and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e The low even habit suits a path edge or the front row of a bed, and it copes with the sharp drainage and reflected heat of a rockery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dwarf Grey Tussock Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. It belongs in warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens, and takes frost without protection. Humid tropical and subtropical gardens are the exception, where the crown tends to rot through a wet summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost any free draining soil, including sandy and poor ground. Drainage matters more than fertility, so on heavy clay plant on a low mound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. A light dressing of slow release native fertiliser in early spring is plenty. Rich feeding produces soft growth that flops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the clump back to about 10cm every second or third winter to strip old thatch. Fresh blades come away quickly in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis grass is sold as tube stock, so plants arrive as small young clumps a few centimetres across. That is how grasses of this type are best planted: the fine roots take hold quickly and the plant grows into your soil rather than sitting in a pot shaped root ball. Expect a filled tussock in one season and a closed drift by the second.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTubes travel well because the foliage is fine and there is little to bruise. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eguide to designing with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare the range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mass-planting-plants\"\u003eplants suited to mass planting\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the wider list of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eplants safe for pets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpace plants 30cm to 40cm apart. That lets each tussock reach full width and meet its neighbours, giving a continuous drift without crowding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need cutting back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every second or third winter is enough. Cut the clump to about 10cm to remove old thatch, then leave it alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with a humid summer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot reliably. This is a plant for temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland conditions, and long humid spells with summer rain will rot the crown. In the subtropics and tropics choose a lomandra or dianella instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":54742710845759,"sku":"QLD-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dwarf-grey-tussock-grass-poa-sieberiana-dwarf-grey-dcff99.jpg?v=1785940853"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/Common-Tussock-Grass-Poa-labillardieri.jpg?v=1791098168","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/tussock-grasses.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}