Melica altissima
Melic grass, Siberian melic grass, Tall melic grass
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 0.4m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a woodland grass of temperate regions. It stands upright but the upper part of the stem curves over, displaying broad green grass blades in a semi-circular arch. It flowers in June it produces an upright flower spike that has a narrow fluffy flower panicle that turns cream with maturity. The flower spikes are valued in flower arrangements. These should be harvested before they have fully opened. The whole plant produces a delightful soft effect and it is good for naturalizing in a partly shaded site. This grass is thrives in a light or loamy soil that is well drained. but it suffers in drought conditions and it may become dormant by midsummer if it has been hot and dry. It stands around 1.2m (4ft) high, sometimes taller with a 40cm (16in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Green-bronze
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming 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.
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.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.