- Botanical name: Melica altissima 'Alba'
- Common name: Siberian melic
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
White
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
- Prefers rich soil
- Low maintenance plant
Melica altissima ‘Alba’ is a graceful ornamental grass that really comes into its own when in flower, in spring and early summer. The flowers look like grains of rice and bring a lovely airiness to borders. It’s especially useful for brightening up shady spots.
This is a low-maintenance grass, simply needing cutting back in late winter or early spring before the new foliage emerges. To propagate it, clumps can be divided in early spring to produce new plants.
For best results, grow Melica altissima ‘Alba’ in full sun or partial shade in a rich, well-drained soil.
How to grow Melica 'Alba'
-
Plant size
90cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant 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 flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not 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 |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Melica 'Alba' and wildlife
Melica 'Alba' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Melica 'Alba' poisonous?
Melica 'Alba' causes an upset stomach. Its seeds and foliage are toxic.
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to Livestock
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Melica 'Alba'
