Crested Hairgrass

Crested Hair-grass is usually grown for its shape and form, rather than agricultural fodder. It develops upright panicles which stand out among other grasses, going on to form puple spikelets, reaching from 10-60cm in height. More often found on calcareous soils. In more aggressive swards this plant often gets pushed out, it is more suited in less aggressive wild flower mixes with other non aggressive grasses.

Uses

A useful and eye catching plant in ornamental boarders or wild flower mixes.

Persistence

This is a perennial species, however if sown along side more aggressive grass species it may well be pushed out.

Strengths

An interesting plant to add for and shape to a boarder or planting.

Sowing Rate Advice

For a pure stand sow arounf 5 grams per m2

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
A small seed, with a typical light yellow to sandy colouring, measuring about 4mm in length.

Vegetative State
An upright plant producing greyish to green leaves from the base, some lower leaves are hairy, becoming hairless on the upper leaves. The ligules are short with a blunt tip and about 1mm in length.

Flowering Plant
Panicles are spike-like and upright and dense reaching up to 10cm long. They are form a silvery green to purpe colour over time.

Additional Info

Flowers from June-July

Works well with

Sow with other non aggressive species.

You can find Crested Hairgrass in the following mixtures

• Chalk & Limestone Soil Mixture