Glyceria notata
Glyceria notata · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant glyceria notata: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Plant type
- Perennial herbaceous grass
- Foliage
- Deciduous, tender green to golden yellow
- Flowering
- June to August, purple and green spikelets
- Mature size
- 24 to 39 inches tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zones 4 to 9)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe, wet and marshy areas
- Soil type
- Fresh to moist soil, tolerates waterlogging
Care
Watering
Glyceria flexuosa thrives in constantly moist to wet soil. Keep the soil moist year-round, especially during spring and summer growth. In ponds or water features, watering happens naturally; in containers, water regularly without letting it dry out.
Light exposure
Place your glyceria in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates partial shade well and develops even in low-light areas. However, direct sunlight promotes more vibrant autumn coloring.
Soil
Rich, fresh to moist soil is ideal: marshes, banks, shallow ponds, or peaty soil work perfectly. Avoid overly dry and well-drained soils. This grass even adapts to temporarily submerged areas.
Pruning and cutting
Cut back your glyceria to ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Regular cutting regenerates the clump and removes dead foliage. Mid-season, remove damaged leaves to maintain ornamental appeal.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary if your soil is naturally rich in organic matter. In poor soil, a light compost application in spring is enough. Avoid concentrated chemical fertilizers, which encourage lodging.
Diseases and pests
Glyceria flexuosa is generally very hardy and rarely troubled by diseases or pests. Excess nitrogen fertilizer can weaken stems. Check for root rot in waterlogged or poorly drained soils.
Did you know?
Glyceria flexuosa owes its scientific name 'notata' to its characteristic spikelets. Historically used as quality forage in wet areas, it stabilizes banks and marshy zones while creating valuable habitat for aquatic wildlife and migratory birds.
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.