Milium effusum
Wood millet, Woodrush
- Height × spread
- 0.4m – 0.5m × 0.25m – 0.3m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a perennial grass that has quite broad leaves and flowers in spring when it develops a small airy flowering inflorescence. The species is planted in woods as it is used as a food source for game birds. There are some ornamental forms available, the best of these being Milium effusum 'Aureum' with its fresh and attractive yellow foliage, at its peak in spring. There is a paler form called 'Yaffle' and a green and white variegated form. These enjoy rich soils with moisture in them, and enjoy lime.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Cream, Gold, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.4m – 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.25m – 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- 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 to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
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.