Agrostis canina
Agrostis canina · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant agrostis canina: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, very fine and delicate
- Flowering
- June to August, discreet spikelets
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Europe, Atlantic and continental regions
- Soil type
- Acidic soil, well-drained, sandy or peaty
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during the active growth period, especially the first summer after planting. Once established, bentgrass tolerates dry spells thanks to its fibrous root system. In a temperate humid climate, natural rainfall is usually sufficient.
Light exposure
Install bentgrass in full sun or partial shade. This grass is more vigorous and dense in sunlight, while it stretches slightly in shade. Avoid overly hot and dry areas in Mediterranean climates.
Pruning and cutting
Cut the clump close to the ground in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. A pass with a mower at around 5-7 cm is suitable if you're growing bentgrass as a lawn. You can cut it back after flowering to encourage branching.
Soil and preparation
Bentgrass prefers acidic to neutral soil (pH 5 to 7), well-drained and poor to moderate fertility. Enrich the soil with sand or blonde peat if you have clay-heavy soil. Install adequate drainage to prevent root suffocation in winter.
Fertilizing
Avoid overly rich fertilizers that promote soft growth prone to disease. A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring can support initial growth. Fine grasses generally need minimal nutrients.
Diseases and pests
Bentgrass dreads stagnant moisture, which promotes damping-off and fungal diseases. Ensure perfect drainage and sufficient air circulation. Insect pests are rare; prevention comes from balanced cultivation practices.
Did you know?
Bentgrass gets its common name from ancient times: this fine grass was reputed for its supposed medicinal virtues in traditional veterinary medicine and was used to treat dog ailments. Today, it remains appreciated by botanists for forming very dense and elegant lawns in oceanic climates, particularly prized in Scotland and Ireland where it grows naturally.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.