wī

Poa cita | wī, pātītī, silver tussock

 

A graceful, evergreen grass with fine, arching blades that shift from silvery-green to golden tones, forming soft mounds that ripple beautifully in the wind. Hardy and drought-tolerant, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils yet adapts to sandy, rocky, or exposed sites, making it a resilient choice for coastal gardens, slopes, and erosion control. Its flowing texture and feathery summer flower heads add movement, subtle colour, and a light, airy quality that complements both naturalistic plantings and contemporary landscapes.

grassland
grazed pasture
open scrub and forest
coastal cliffs

dry

free draining

well drained

moist

full sun

partial shade

height | 60cm

width | 50cm

flowering | November - December

fruiting | January - February

Wī was noted as being traditionally spread thickly on the ground to form a soft, insulating layer, with sleeping mats placed on top. It was also occasionally fashioned as protective leggings from silver tussock when moving through thorny landscapes.