Meadow Foxtail 'Aureovariegatus'

An eye-catching, semi-evergreen clump-forming grass that is particularly valued in British gardens for its bright spring foliage. The leaves are strikingly striped with vivid gold and green, providing a splash of luminosity to borders or containers early in the season. In late spring and early summer, it produces cylindrical, silky flower spikes that resemble small foxtails, held well above the foliage on slender stems. It is a robust and hardy plant, thriving in most UK soils provided they remain reasonably moist. It performs best in partial shade, where its variegated leaves are less prone to scorching than in intense direct sun. While it can tolerate full sun, the golden hue is most vivid in bright, filtered light. It is low maintenance and generally pest-free, though it may require tidying in late winter to remove dead blades before new growth emerges. It holds an RHS H6 hardiness rating, making it suitable for almost all UK climates.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained loam or clay.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Apr, May, Jun.