Hordeum jubatum
Barley, Fox-tail barley, Squirrel tail grass
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.75m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This perennial grass is often grown as an annual. It naturally inhabits the great plains in northern South America. It has fairly ordinary green foliage and is chiefly grown for its flower heads which are like barley, super bristly, pendulous and coloured blue-green, maturing to beige shades. These appear during June and July. It is attractive to those who arrange flowers.
- Flower colour
- Green
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Beige
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.75m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.