Alopecurus pratensis

RHS Plant Profile

meadow foxtail

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Other common names

blackgrass, cynffonwellt y maes, foxtail grass, golden foxtail, mountain foxtail

Grass Like

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A native grass found throughout the British Isles, forming leafy clumps up to 1m high. Dense, cylindrical flowerheads, produced in May and June, are soft to the touch and tapered. Conspicuous purple stamens provide pollen for bees and other insects

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

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

Clay Loam

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Alopecurus can be annual or perennial grasses, forming a clump of linear leaves, with erect stems bearing dense, spike-like panicles of small flowers in late spring and summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Found in damp meadows and pastures and other grassy places. Will grow in a wide range of situations but thrives in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Grown as forage for livestock

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required. Can cut back old foliage in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust or leaf spot, but generally disease-free