Overview

Puccinellia maritima is a perennial, stoloniferous, forms dense tufts or prostrate turfs grass in the genus Puccinellia, part of the Poaceae family, with greyish-green to dark green, tinted yellow, red, or purple foliage. Puccinellia maritima grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include coastal erosion control, salt marsh restoration and wildlife habitat. It is native to Baltic States, Belgium, Canary Is., Denmark, France, Føroyar, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, North European Russia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

About

Puccinellia maritima is a species of grass known by the common names including seaside alkaligrass, common saltmarsh-grass or sea poa grass. It is native to Western Europe and it is present in most of North East North America.

About the genus

Puccinellia is a genus of plants in the grass family, known as alkali grass or salt grass.

Wikipedia contributors, "Puccinellia", CC BY-SA 4.0Puccinellia

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Puccinellia

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Saline, Muddy sands, Silts, Clays
Soil pH
Alkaline
Soil moisture
Wet, Periodically flooded
Aspect
Coastal, Sheltered
Exposure
High salinity, Regular tidal inundation
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Puccinellia maritima size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Grass
Habit
Perennial, Stoloniferous, Forms dense tufts or prostrate turfs
Foliage
Greyish-green to dark green, Tinted yellow, red, or purple
Suggested uses
Coastal erosion control, Salt marsh restoration, Wildlife habitat
Native to
Baltic States, Belgium, Canary Is., Denmark, France, Føroyar, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, North European Russia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Puccinellia maritima

Propagation
Seed, Division, Root cuttings
Pest resistance
High
Disease resistance
High

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Puccinellia maritima?

Puccinellia maritima prefers full sun. It suits high salinity and regular tidal inundation positions.

What soil does Puccinellia maritima need?

Puccinellia maritima is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including saline, muddy sands, silts and clays. It prefers alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays wet to periodically flooded.

Is Puccinellia maritima hardy in the UK?

Puccinellia maritima has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Puccinellia maritima?

Seed, Division, Root cuttings.