Siberian Greybeard Grass

An अक्सर-overlooked but wonderful deciduous grass that brings a distinct look to the garden. It is nicknamed 'Greybeard' due to its hairy, grey-green flower spikes that appear in mid-summer. The foliage is unique for a grass, with broad, bamboo-like leaves that are held horizontally, creating a textured, tiered effect. In autumn, the foliage turns a stunning palette of orange, red, and purple before dying back for winter. It has an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching about 1.2 metres. It is fully hardy (H6) and prefers a moist, fertile soil in full sun or light shade. It is an excellent choice for adding a touch of the exotic to a traditional border and looks particularly good when planted alongside late-summer bloomers like Actaea or Phlox. Cut it back to the ground in late winter. It is slow to establish but long-lived and very reliable once it settles in.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained loam.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug, Sep.