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AquaticGrass LikeBogs

Glyceria maxima

reed sweet grass

A strong-growing, aquatic, rhizomatous perennial grass up to 1m tall, capable of spreading almost indefinitely. The narrow, strap-shaped leaves are dark green, tinged pink in spring; purplish-green flowering panicles are produced in late summer

Other common names

leed
meadow reed grass
see morereed meadow grass

Synonyms

Glyceria aquatica

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Genus: Glyceria are vigorous, spreading, moisture-loving or aquatic, rhizomatous perennial grasses, with narrowly strap-shaped leaves and green or purple-tinged flowering panicles in late summer
Name status: Unresolved
Plant range: Europe to China (Xinjiang)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any reliably moist, fertile soil or in water up to 15cm deep, in full sun. Divide every few years to prevent congestion, has potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Leaves can be cut back when they die off in late autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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