Alopecurus
Foxtail grass, Lamb's tail grass
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m × 0.5m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are both annual and perennial forms of the Foxtail grass. Only a few varieties are used as ornamentals in the garden. The flower heads are small, neat and bushy, and it is the foliage variations that provide ornamental interest. Forms of Alopecurus pratensis are available with gold stripes, are all gold, or have bluish tints. These all stand around a metre or so in height and flower in summer. On a small scale Alopecurus borealis (Alopecurus alpinus) is a small spreading plant, a bluish form being available. This plant is found growing in Arctic regions of Europe and in Scotland, so is very cold hardy.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
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 · Planting
Trim foliage
Trim foliage in spring to induce new growth and keep the plant looking fresh.
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.