About
A deciduous, perennial grass forming a spreading clump of stiff, narrow green or blue-green leaves. In late spring it produces upright or arching stems with flower spikes up to 15cm long made up of small, pale cream flowers with silky hairs.
About the genus
Melica are deciduous, clump-forming perennial grasses with soft, linear leaves and arching stems bearing narrow panicles of flattened flowering spikelets in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toEurope N Africa SW Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Protect from excessive winter wet
PruningRemove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in situ in spring or when ripe or by division in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free