Silky bentgrass
Apera spica-venti · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant silky bentgrass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Type
- Annual grass
- Adult height
- 30 to 80 cm
- Flowering
- June to September
- Foliage
- Deciduous (annual)
- Hardiness
- Very hardy
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, undemanding
Care
Exposure
Apera spica-venti thrives in full sun and tolerates partially shaded locations. This grass appreciates well-exposed sites to develop all its airiness and ornamental grace. It adapts easily to windswept gardens, which is where its evocative common name comes from.
Watering
Water regularly during the first few weeks after sowing to ensure good germination. Once established, this grass tolerates dry periods well thanks to its shallow but effective root system. Moderate watering is sufficient during active growth.
Soil
Choose well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. Apera spica-venti is undemanding and is content with poor or even sandy soils. Simply avoid waterlogged areas that would encourage rot.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is really necessary: this annual plant makes do with naturally present elements. A very modest addition of compost at sowing time may possibly promote germination, but remains optional.
Pruning and harvesting
No strict pruning is required. Harvest the spikes at maturity (August-September) if you wish to dry them for long-lasting floral arrangements. Leave plants in place for spontaneous self-seeding if you desire naturalization.
Diseases and pests
Very few phytosanitary problems. Fungal diseases remain rare in well-drained and aerated conditions. This grass generally presents no particular interest to common garden pests.
Did you know?
Apera spica-venti owes its name to the graceful and dancing movement of its light spikes at the slightest breeze, making it an ideal grass for creating movement and visual lightness in a planting scheme. Once considered a weed in cereal fields, it has been rehabilitated to the status of appreciated ornamental plant favored by florists and landscapers.
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.