Melica nutans

RHS Plant Profile

mountain melick

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Other common names

mountain melic, nodding melic, meligwellt gogwydd

Grass Like

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An uncommon native grass found mostly in the north and west, forming loose but tidy clumps of flat, bright green leaves up to 50cm tall. Flowers comprise green and brown spikelets hanging along one side of fine, arching stems

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Melica are deciduous, clump-forming perennial grasses with soft, linear leaves and arching stems bearing narrow panicles of flattened flowering spikelets in summer
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Found in woodland and on banks and rough areas, preferring well-drained soil in full or partial shade. Can be grown as ground cover under trees

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required, but can be trimmed back after flowering or in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free