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Grass Like

Agrostis capillaris

common bent

Better known as Brown Top or Common Bent grass. It is a tufted variety ideal for luxury lawns that will be mowed on a regular basis

Other common names

brown top
common bent grass
see moreRhode Island bent
black quitch
colonial bent
herd's grass
monkey's grass
red top grass
maeswellt cyff redin

Synonyms

Agrostis tenuis
Agrostis marysae-tortiae
see moreAgrostis vulgaris var. aristata
Agrostis vulgaris var. vivipara
Agrostis pumila
Agrostis vulgaris
Agrostis vulgaris var. genuina

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Agrostis can be annual or perennial grasses, with narrow or bristle-like leaves and branches panicles of small flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

By seed. Slow to establish but will become neat and dense if mown regularly

Propagation

Sow seed directly into weed-free, prepared soil in spring or early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Mow regularly

Pests

Seed may be eaten by ants, birds, chafer grubs and Leatherjackets

Diseases

Algae, Dollar spot, Corticium disease, Fusarium patch, fungae

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