Hordeum jubatum (Squirrel Tail Grass / Foxtail Barley) seeds

Showy annual grass, native to North America, now naturalised in the UK, with pale pink flowers on long stems which sway in the breeze. Very effective when planted in swathes and a lovely addition to any coastal, prairie style, cottage or modern garden. Easy to grow and can be sown outdoors. Will self seed readily for more plants the following year. Great for use in flower arrangements both fresh and dried.

Hardy Annual
Height: 60cm, Spread: 50cm
Position: Sun in well drained soil
Flowers: June to August

Packet of 30 seeds 

GROWING GUIDE

Seeds can be sown outdoors where they are to flower April - May;  or indoors Jan - May. 

Indoors

Sow on the surface of moist, free-draining seed compost in pots or seed trays and just cover with a very thin sprinkling of compost.  Propagate at about 20 C in a propagator or on a windowsill shaded from direct sun.  Germination should begin within about 1-4 weeks but may take a little longer.

When the seedlings emerge, grow them on at a slightly cooler temperature and pot them up when they have their second set of leaves into 9cm pots.

Harden the plants off by placing them outdoors during the day for 10 days before planting out after the last frosts.

Outdoors

Prepare the soil by digging out weeds and raking over.  Water well, leave for a few weeks and dig out any new weeds.  Scatter seeds on the surface and press lightly into soil.  Water with a fine spray/mist.  Remove any obvious weeds as they appear and keep area well watered in dry weather.

Cut down plants in autumn after they have set seed and remove any weeds. Rake over any bare patches and firm the soil.   New plants will emerge in spring.