Squirrel Tail Grass begins the season as a fairly unremarkable grassy plant, but once the warm weather and long days of summer arrive, it sends up remarkable, silky, silvery grey panicles on 60cm (24") stems. These bend with the wind and retain their ornamental value until frost.
General
Short lived perennial, usually grown as an annual
Latin
Hordeum jubatum
Family: Poaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 3
Timing
Hordeum is most successfully sown direct outdoors where it is to grow. Sow in early spring when a light frost is still possible, or in late autumn.
Starting
Sow seeds 5mm (1/8") deep. At a temperature of 21°C (70°F) seeds should germinate in 21 to 50 days.
Growing
Space plants 30cm (12") apart in full sun, in well drained, somewhat dry soil. Hordeum is suitable for xeriscaping, and looks its best in mass plantings.