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Briza maxima (Greater quaking grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Briza maxima
Other names
Greater quaking grass, Great quaking grass, Pearl grass, Briza major
Genus
Briza Briza
Species
B. maxima - B. maxima is an annual grass growing clumps of flat, linear leaves, with panicles of large, flat, heart-shaped, pale yellow spikelets which dangle from erect, slender branches.
Briza maxima is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect
Flower
Pale-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Pale-green in Spring; Pale-green in Summer; Yellow-brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Useful for dried flower arrangements. Cut stems for drying in sunny weather when spikelets are fully developed, but before seeds develop.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Briza maxima (Greater quaking grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grows in most well-drained, fertile soils in sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
These easy to grow plant provide a good doil for other more colourful plants.
Botanical name
Briza maxima
Other names
Greater quaking grass, Great quaking grass, Pearl grass, Briza major
Genus
Briza Briza
Species
B. maxima - B. maxima is an annual grass growing clumps of flat, linear leaves, with panicles of large, flat, heart-shaped, pale yellow spikelets which dangle from erect, slender branches.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect
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Colour
Flower
Pale-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Pale-green in Spring; Pale-green in Summer; Yellow-brown in Autumn
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Useful for dried flower arrangements. Cut stems for drying in sunny weather when spikelets are fully developed, but before seeds develop.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Briza maxima (Greater quaking grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grows in most well-drained, fertile soils in sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
These easy to grow plant provide a good doil for other more colourful plants.
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