- Botanical name: Hordeum jubatum
- Common name: Foxtail barley
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Annual, Deciduous
Pink
Golden
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
- Dramatic foliage
Hordeum jubatum, or foxtail barley, is a hardy grass species native to North America, but now naturalised in many other parts of of the globe, including the UK. It’s usually grown as an annual or short-lived perennial.
It looks especially impactful when planted as a large swathe where the pale pink flowers will undulate congruously in the wind. It’s easy to grow from seed and will also self-seed readily. Good for coastal gardens as it can tolerate saline conditions.
For best results grow Hordeum jubatum in full sun and well-drained soil. Use your fingers to comb out tatty leaves or flowers, and cut back hard in spring.
How to grow Hordeum jubatum
-
Plant size
60cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
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 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 not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Hordeum jubatum and wildlife
Hordeum jubatum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Hordeum jubatum poisonous?
Hordeum jubatum 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
Plants that go well with Hordeum jubatum
