Overview
Briza minor is a tufted grass like in the genus Briza, part of the Poaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Briza minor grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and cut flowers.
About
Briza minor is a species of grass known by the common names lesser quaking-grass or little quakinggrass. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin, and it is known elsewhere, including much of North America, as an introduced species. It is an annual grass producing narrow clumps of erect stems up to 50 centimeters tall. The inflorescence bears several small cone-shaped spikelets, each hanging on a pedicel. It grows to around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Briza minor
About the genus
Briza is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family, native to northern temperate regions of Eurasia, North Africa, and certain islands in the Atlantic.
Wikipedia contributors, "Briza", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Briza
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Briza
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Briza minor size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Cut flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Briza minor
- Propagation
- Seed, sown in situ in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Briza minor?
Briza minor prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Briza minor need?
Briza minor is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How big does Briza minor grow?
Briza minor reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Briza minor hardy in the UK?
Briza minor has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Briza minor?
Seed, sown in situ in spring or autumn.
More in the Briza genus
Browse all Briza →
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