- Botanical name: Briza maxima
- Common name: Greater quaking grass
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Annual
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
- Dramatic foliage
Greater quaking grass, Briza maxima, is one of the best-known annual grasses and a great favourite with flower-arrangers. It bears graceful, nodding heads of subtly coloured flowers, which are segmented and shaped like a small lantern. In the garden these nod gently in the breeze and remain decorative for some time before shedding their seeds, and they make the perfect foil for a range of flowers both in the garden and the vase.
Best grown in groups for maximum impact, sow Briza maxima in situ in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Harvest the flower stems to use in dried flower arrangements throughout winter, and save seed for use the following year.
How to grow Briza maxima
-
Plant size
60cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do not Collect seeds in May |
J
Do not Collect seeds in June |
J
Do not Collect seeds in July |
A
Do not Collect seeds in August |
S
Do Collect seeds in September |
O
Do Collect seeds in October |
N
Do Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Briza maxima and wildlife
Briza maxima has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Briza maxima poisonous?
Briza maxima has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
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