Garden Design #16

Prunus Thundercloud produces fragrant flowers that are pale pink and bowl-shaped on bare branches. Edible small red fruit follows the flowers which is ready to harvest in summer or early autumn. Tolerant of exposed and coastal sites. Position in full sun. Suits a well-drained, moist soil. Deciduous. Hardy. 8m x 4m.

Poa cita, commonly known as New Zealand Wind Grass or Silver Tussock, is a graceful, evergreen grass native to New Zealand. Its fine, arching blades are a pale silvery-green to golden hue, creating soft, flowing mounds that move gently in the wind. This hardy and drought-tolerant grass adds texture and subtle colour to the landscape, making it a popular choice for naturalistic or low-maintenance gardens. Poa cita brings a light and airy quality to any space, and its soft tones provide a striking contrast to darker foliage plants or bolder garden elements.

Poa cita is highly valued for its versatility in garden design, fitting perfectly into coastal, native, or dry landscapes. It excels in mass plantings where its swaying blades create a sense of movement, or as a soft border to define paths and garden beds. This grass is also ideal for xeriscapes, rock gardens, and erosion control on slopes, where its root system helps stabilize soil. In contemporary or minimalist gardens, Poa cita offers an elegant, textural contrast to structured plants or hardscaping. Its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for urban gardens and large-scale landscape projects alike.

This grass thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils, though it is highly adaptable and can tolerate poorer, sandy, or rocky soils. Once established, Poa cita requires very little water, making it a great option for water-wise or drought-prone gardens. It tolerates wind and coastal conditions, making it ideal for exposed sites. Space plants about 40 to 60 cm apart to allow their naturally arching form to spread and create a soft, billowing effect.

At maturity, Poa cita forms dense clumps that reach about 60 to 90 cm in height, with a similar spread. Its fine, arching foliage creates a gentle, cascading effect, providing year-round interest with its soft, silvery tones and delicate movement in the breeze.