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Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet vernal grass)

Other names: Vernal grass, Spring grass

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Species
A. odoratum is a short-lived, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with aromacit, broadly linear to narrowly lance-shaped, mid- to grey-green leaves and dense, unbranched panicles of sometimes purple-flushed, green flower spikelets in late spring or early summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.5 m 0.4 m 2-5 years
1 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Will grow in sun in any soil except waterlogged. Prefers moist, neutral to acid conditions. Drought tolerant once established. Leaves are especially aromatic when dried. Tends to be short-lived so it is recommended to allow it to self-seed. Sometimes grown as an indoor plant. Considered an invasive species in some introduced areas.

Suggested uses

Indoor, Lawn, Meadow

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Compact

Native to

Europe, Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Cut leaves for drying as desired. Otherwise, little to no pruning typically required.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in spring or autumn or allowed to self-seed.

Pests

Diseases

Plant container grown plants in deep fertile, well-drained soil

Let self-seed if desired

Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Sow seed in situ

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (2)

Anthoxanthum

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Anthoxanthum odoratum
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Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet vernal grass
Anthoxanthum nitens
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Anthoxanthum nitens Holy grass
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Companion plants (0)

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