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Similar to Gardening sheet melica imperfecta
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Gardening sheet melica imperfecta
- 1. Coast Range Melic Grass – Melica imperfecta
(MELL-i-cuh im-purr-FECT-uh)
Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Native to: Northern CA to Baja: on sand dunes, dry hillsides and in forest openings.
Cool-season bunch grass mature height: 1-3 ft mature width: 2-3 ft
Cool-season, perennial bunchgrass.
Bright green, narrow leaves form fountain-like mound.
Summer dormant in dry gardens – dies back to the ground. Attractive, ‘neat’ shape.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits: Spring-flowering; small flowers on arched stems that rise above the foliage.
Seedpods are spreading, dark brown and showy.
Uses in the garden: One of our most attractive native ornamental grasses with its graceful flowering
stalks. Lovely addition to meadows, grassy borders, natural lawns & gardens. Good for stabilizing
slopes. Because it takes some shade, one of the most useful grasses for under trees.
Sensible substitute for: non-native small ornamental bunching grasses.
Attracts: birds (eat seeds). Good cover for ground-feeding birds, lizards, toads, etc.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Sun or light shade (best in part shade)
Clay to rocky; average pH
Low; moderate summer irrigation to remain green (otherwise, summer dormant)
Low
Fairly well-drained soil; slightly acid to neutral pH
Management: low water requirement.
Can summer water to extend growth season slightly.
Susceptible to Flag Smut.
Propagation: by seed: collect seed April-June. Test germination (tends to be variable). Can either
propagate in flats/pots or direct sow in early fall. Germination: 21-90 days. Can also divide clumps
in early fall.
Plant/seed sources:
1-3, 8, 10-14, 19, 20, 24, 28
12/10/10
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