Deschampsia 'Northern Lights'

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights': A Cool Glow Beneath Summer Skies

Softly variegated and cool-toned, Deschampsia 'Northern Lights' brings a gentle shimmer to sunny and lightly shaded plantings. Its narrow, arching blades are striped in creamy white, blush pink, and silvery green—offering subtle colour that deepens in cooler temperatures. In early summer, airy panicles of silvery-gold flowers rise above the foliage, adding a delicate veil of texture. Compact and tidy, this cool-season grass is an elegant choice for adding softness and structure without weight.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–90 cm in bloom
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming a low, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: Silvery-gold
• Flowering Period: Early to mid-summer
• Foliage: Narrow blades striped in cream, green, and pink; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; performs best in cool, evenly watered sites

Uses and Benefits: 'Northern Lights' is a refined grass for edging borders, tucking into mixed perennial beds, or adding brightness to shady corners. Its variegated foliage offers year-round interest, while its soft flower heads lend movement and airiness to summer displays. With a smaller footprint and elegant habit, it suits both formal and naturalistic styles. Deer resistant and low maintenance, it provides colour and texture where others fade.

Companion Plants: Let 'Northern Lights' glow alongside the soft pink blooms of Aster 'Wood's Pink', the warm-toned daisy mix of Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', and the rich purple spires of Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'. This combination balances cool foliage with vibrant colour, offering strong pollinator support and refined seasonal interest.

Care Instructions: Plant in sun to light shade with moist, well-drained soil. Keep evenly watered during dry spells to maintain vibrant foliage. Cut back in early spring to refresh the clump. Divide every 3–4 years in spring if needed to rejuvenate growth or manage spread.

History: 'Northern Lights' is a cultivated form of Deschampsia cespitosa, a grass native to cool climates across the Northern Hemisphere. Selected for its unique variegation and compact habit, it offers a luminous, ornamental twist on a naturally soft and adaptable species.

Final Thoughts: With its pastel foliage and misty flowers, 'Northern Lights' adds quiet brilliance to the summer garden. It’s a grass that brings subtle light and gentle movement—refined, versatile, and always in tune with its surroundings.