About

Agrostis stolonifera is a rapidly expanding grass that propagates through stolons—horizontal stems that take root as they spread—creating mats that can reach up to 1 meter in diameter. Its leaves are soft, broad, and a medium shade of green. The minute green flowers, sometimes tinged with red, are borne on slender, airy inflorescences that can grow up to 40 centimeters in height.

About the genus

Agrostis includes both annual and perennial grasses characterized by slender or bristle-like foliage and branched panicles that bear small flowers.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained, Poorly-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Grass Like
Habit
Matforming
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years

Care notes

Cultivation
Will grow in most garden situations, including heavy or wet soils and partial shade. Does not make a good sward even if mown, and is more likely to be a weed than a lawn grass, though some cultivars are used on golf greens and sports fields
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate from seed or by separating rooted shoots
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free