Overview
Chionochloa flavescens is a tufted grass like in the genus Chionochloa, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Chionochloa flavescens grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include prairie planting, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and cut flowers.
About
Chionochloa flavescens, known as broad-leaved snow tussock, is a tufted evergreen grass from the Poaceae family. It features dense clumps of slender, linear leaves and produces elongated stems with loose panicles of small flowering spikelets in summer. This grass thrives in full sun with moist but well-drained loam soil of neutral pH, ideally in sheltered, south-, west- or east-facing aspects. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suited to prairie plantings, cottage gardens, flower borders, and can be cut back in late winter to maintain its form.
About the genus
Chionochloa is a genus of tussock grass in the family Poaceae, found primarily in New Zealand with one known species in New Guinea and another on Lord Howe Island. Some of the species are referred to as snowgrass or snow tussock.
Wikipedia contributors, "Chionochloa", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chionochloa
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Chionochloa
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Chionochloa flavescens size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Prairie planting, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Cut flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Chionochloa flavescens
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Chionochloa flavescens?
Chionochloa flavescens prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Chionochloa flavescens need?
Chionochloa flavescens grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Chionochloa flavescens hardy in the UK?
Chionochloa flavescens has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Chionochloa flavescens?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring.
More in the Chionochloa genus
- Chionochloa beddiei
- Chionochloa conspicuaplumed tussock grass
- Chionochloa rigidasnow tussock
- Arundo conspicua