About

This deciduous, clumping grass features distinctive swollen bases on its stems, along with leaves that are edged in white. In late summer, it produces airy panicles filled with flowers reminiscent of oats.

About the genus

Arrhenatherum consists of deciduous perennial grasses that create loose clumps of narrow leaves. In the summer, they produce drooping, oat-like flower clusters.

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
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Grass Like
Habit
Tufted
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years

Care notes

Cultivation
Easy to grow in most well-drained fertile soils
Pruning
Cut back to ground level in mid-summer
Propagation
Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Susceptible to a rust