Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

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.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes
Collect seedsyesyesyes

Briza and wildlife

Briza has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Briza poisonous?

Briza has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Briza maxima
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