Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of soils. Cut back clumps immediately after seed heads disintegrate to encourage additional foliage growth. Clumps may be mowed on high setting in late fall or dead foliage can be cleared in late winter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Briza media, commonly called common quaking grass, is a rhizomatous, creeping, warm season ornamental grass which features a clump of narrow, erect, green leaves (1/4 to 1/2" wide) typically growing 12 to 15" tall. Tiny, greenish flowers appear in spring in loose, airy panicles atop stems rising well above the foliage clump to 24-36" tall. Flowers give way to flattened hop-like, purplish-maturing-to-tan seed heads which dangle on thread-like stems and quiver in the slightest breeze, thus giving rise to the common name.
Genus name comes from the Greek name for one of the food grains, possibly rye.
Specific epithet means medicinal.
Seed heads which dangle on thread-like stems and quiver in the slightest breeze has giving rise to the common name.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems but is intolerant of hot summers.
Uses
Best when massed. Effective in borders, cottage gardens, naturalized areas and meadows. May be too weedy for borders.