Spodiopogon sibiricus

RHS Plant Profile

frost grass

Other common names

silver spikegrass

Synonyms

Andropogon sibiricus

Grass Like Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming, ornamental perennial grass to around 1.5m, with strap-shaped, arching blue-green foliage with a white centre, turning to burgundy-red in the autumn. Upright stems of airy purple to pale brown flowers appear from July through to September

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Siberia, China, Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in a sunny position. Will tolerate some shade, but this may reduce the intensity of autumn colour. Prefers cooler conditions and will cope in coastal regions as long as soil is kept moist. Do not allow soil to dry out. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Sow seed in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in spring or propagate clumps by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back in late winter or early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free