Overview
Agrostis gigantea is a matforming, bushy, tufted grass like in the genus Agrostis, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen, deciduous foliage. Agrostis gigantea grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, coastal and banks and slopes.
About
Agrostis gigantea is a perennial flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, known by the common names black bent and redtop. It is native to Europe, but in the cooler areas of North America was widely used as a pasture grass until the 1940s. Although it has largely been replaced by soybeans and more palatable grasses, it still gets some use in poor soils. It was one of the grasses planted in areas disturbed by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, coastal and banks and slopes. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun. Cut back in late winter.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Agrostis gigantea
About the genus
Agrostis is a large and very nearly cosmopolitan genus of plants in the grass family, found in nearly all the countries in the world.
Wikipedia contributors, "Agrostis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Agrostis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Agrostis
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Agrostis gigantea size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Matforming, Bushy, Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Banks and slopes
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Agrostis gigantea
- Propagation
- By seed, By division, By separating rooted shoots
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Agrostis gigantea?
Agrostis gigantea prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Agrostis gigantea need?
Agrostis gigantea is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Agrostis gigantea hardy in the UK?
Agrostis gigantea has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Agrostis gigantea?
By seed, By division, By separating rooted shoots.