About
Hierochloe australis, the sweet vernal grass, is a fragrant perennial grass producing the characteristic narrow, linear leaves and early-spring panicles of greenish spikelets of the genus. The foliage contains coumarin and has a sweet, vanilla-like scent when dried. A rewarding and ornamental grass for a moist border.
About the genus
Hierochloe, the holy grasses, are fragrant perennial grasses with narrow, linear leaves and panicles of shiny, brown or greenish spikelets in early spring. The foliage contains coumarin and has a distinctive, sweet, vanilla-like scent when dried.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Plant bulbs in autumn with the neck and shoulders above the soil surface, in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. See hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information
PruningAfter flowering, cut spent flower stems down to the base
PropagationPropagate by division, removing bulb offsets in autumn, or propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible, at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Keep young plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to bulb scale mite and large narcissus bulb fly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to various fungal diseases