Species Big Quaking Grass
white-pink flowers on beige stems and green leaves

Big Quaking Grass

Briza maxima

Big Quaking Grass (Briza maxima) is an ornamental grass with long flowering stems that create an elegant, flowing effect. It is widely used in landscapes to create texture and visual interest. The flower heads are large, bell-shaped clusters of silky bristles that quiver in the wind, giving the plant its common name. This attractive grass has arching, grass-like leaves and is tolerant of drought and light shade. It's a great choice for the garden or as a low-maintenance lawn feature. Big Quaking Grass is an easy-care, attractive addition to any garden. It's ideal as an accent plant or to create informal pathways or edging.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Big Quaking Grass should be watered regularly, either after the leaves wilt or when the soil is dry to the touch. It should generally receive 1 inch of water every 7 to 10 days. In hot summer climates, it may need more frequent watering during the hottest months. In addition, Big Quaking Grass needs to be watered deeply to encourage a deep and strong root system. A good way to ensure this is to water it until you see at least some runoff coming out from the pot’s drainage holes. When the weather is cooler or rainy, reduce the frequency or amount of watering accordingly.

sunlight

Big Quaking Grass typically prefers full sun, which means it needs about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day for optimal growth. At least this is the case for well-draining soils. If the soil is poorly draining, then Big Quaking Grass should be grown in partial shade instead (about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day). To ensure it gets enough sun, the plant should be placed in a location that receives 8-10 hours of direct sunlight the day, with some more diffuse shade during the hottest parts of the day.

pruning

Big Quaking Grass (Briza maxima) should be pruned regularly to maintain a healthy plant and size. Pruning should take place during the spring and summer, just before the plant enters a period of active growth. Pruning should include deadheading the flowers, removing any damaged stems, and trimming the tips of the stems to encourage a fuller, bushy shape. Pruning should also be done to thin out the plant to allow better air circulation. To prevent damaging the plant or diminishing its size, pruning should never be done more than 1-third of the plant's height. Severe pruning should also be avoided as it can stress the plant and hinder its growth.