Briza Media

Description

Briza media – quaking grass

Botanical name: Briza media
Common names: Quaking grass, common quaking grass, doddering dillies
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen perennial grass
Habit: Clump-forming, with airy flower stems
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall in flower × 30cm spread
Foliage: Low tufts of narrow blue-green leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Dainty, heart-shaped, locket-like flowerheads trembling on fine thread-like stalks, early summer (May–July), ripening to straw
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; tolerates chalk and lime; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; tolerant
Native range: Native to Europe including the UK
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Briza media, quaking grass, is a dainty native perennial grass whose heart-shaped, locket-like flowerheads tremble and shimmer on fine stalks in the slightest breeze. Perfect for meadows, wildlife gardens and sunny borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A charming native perennial grass of old meadows and chalk downland, quaking grass is beloved for its delicate, heart-shaped flower spikelets, which dangle from hair-fine stalks and quiver at the faintest movement of air. Forming neat low tufts, it is easy, tough and tolerant of poor, dry, limy soils, and brings movement and light to naturalistic plantings.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun. It thrives on poor, dry and chalky soils where more vigorous plants struggle, making it excellent for meadows and wildlife areas. Space about 30cm apart. It self-seeds gently, weaving itself pleasingly through a planting.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. Leave the flowerheads to shimmer through summer and stand into autumn, then tidy or cut back in late winter. It self-seeds, so remove seedheads before ripening if you wish to limit this. Divide congested clumps in spring. Avoid rich, wet soil.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring, or allow it to self-seed gently around the garden.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. It is little troubled by pests or disease and thrives on neglect in a sunny, well-drained spot.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for wildflower meadows, naturalistic and prairie-style plantings, wildlife gardens, gravel gardens and sunny borders, and lovely for cutting and drying, holding its shape well in dried arrangements.

Wildlife value

A valuable meadow grass: the seeds are eaten by birds, and as a native it supports a range of insects, while its airy structure adds habitat to naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

Quaking grass is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Quaking grass is pure magic in a breeze — those little locket-shaped heads tremble on the finest stalks — so plant it in bold drifts along a path or in a meadow where you’ll catch the movement and the light shining through. It loves poor, dry, even chalky soil, so don’t pamper it, and let it self-seed gently to knit through a naturalistic planting.

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