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Grass Like

Anthoxanthum odoratum

sweet vernal grass

A short-lived, perennial meadow grass forming loose clumps of short, relatively broad leaves. The unbranched flower spikes appear early, in late spring or early summer

Other common names

spring grass
vernal grass
see morechwyth yr ŵydd

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–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: Columnar upright
Genus: Anthoxanthum are annual or perennial grasses, smelling strongly of new-mown hay when crushed or dried
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in virtually any soil that is not waterlogged. Individual plants are short-lived, so allow it to self-seed

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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