all the plants we love

Quaking Grass

Quaking Grass

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

This ornamental grass features clumps of narrow, erect green leaves; tiny greenish flowers on airy panicles in spring; purplish, hop-like seed heads mature to tan and dangle on threadlike stems, quivering in the slightest breeze

Ornamental Features

Quaking Grass features showy plumes of chartreuse hop-like flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. Its attractive narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The purple seed heads are carried on showy plumes which fade to tan over time, which are displayed in abundance from mid summer to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Quaking Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Quaking Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Quaking Grass will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.