Brachypodium retusum
Brachypodium retusum · Poaceae
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The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant brachypodium retusum: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Purple False Brome, Dwarf Tor-grass
- Family
- Poaceae (Grasses)
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (May-July)
- Adult size
- 16-24 inches in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-5°F and below)
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin (Southern Europe)
Care
Exposure
Place this grass in full sun for optimal growth and more intense foliage coloring. It also tolerates partial shade but will be less vigorous. Avoid overly shaded locations where it would decline.
Soil and drainage
Purple False Brome prefers well-drained soils, even chalky or poor ones. It tolerates dry, stony soils very well, typical of the Mediterranean climate. Improve drainage by adding gravel or sand if your soil retains too much water.
Watering
Once established, water sparingly and moderately: this grass is very drought-tolerant. During the first months after planting, keep the soil slightly moist. After that, watering is only necessary during prolonged dry periods.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back dried foliage in late winter (February-March) to make room for new growth. Regular removal of dead leaves keeps the plant looking attractive. Avoid cutting too deeply into the center of the clump.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer application is generally necessary, or even desirable. This grass adapts to poor soils and excess nitrogen would weaken its structure. A very light application of compost at the base in spring is sufficient only on very depleted soils.
Health and prevention
Purple False Brome is very resistant to diseases and pests. The main risks come from overwatering and poor drainage, which can lead to root rot. Ensure well-drained soil and avoid stagnant moisture.
Did you know?
Purple False Brome is a typical grass of the Mediterranean garrigue, where it develops in compact tufts that are particularly hardy against repeated droughts and harsh winters. Its name 'retusum' means 'truncated' or 'blunt' in Latin, alluding to the characteristic shape of its spikelets. This grass is highly appreciated by modern landscapers for creating dry and xeric plant compositions.
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.