Oryzopsis miliacea

RHS Plant Profile
smilo grass

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smilo grass RHS

Synonyms

Oloptum miliaceum
Piptatherum multiflorum
Piptatherum miliaceum
Oryzopsis miliacea var. thomasii

Grass Like
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A clump-forming, evergreen grass producing a mound of leaves to about 30cm, topped by whorled flowerheads, like a very fine horsetail, silvery green in summer then turning pale buff and remaining on the plant all winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Oryzopsis are perennial, evergreen clump-forming plants from the grass family offering a variety of attractive ornamental grasses which can flower all year round. Commonly known as Ricegrass, they can be used in mixed ornamental borders or gravel gardens.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Asia Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in medium to light, moderately fertile soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Remove dead leaves and flower stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free