Eyewort Pearl Grass is an easy-care ornamental grass that is planted in spring when there is no more frost and fits into many garden concepts.
The ciliated pearl grass (Melica ciliata) does not bear its name for nothing, because its panicles are finely ciliated with shaggy hairs and form fluffy clumps in the garden. The approximately 7 mm long spikelets look like small strings of pearls that sway picturesquely in the wind. The soft beige to white tones of the sweet grass are wonderfully suited for Mediterranean to rocky garden concepts. In addition, the culture requirements of eyelash pearl grass are manageable, which makes it relatively easy to care for.
The appearance of Melica ciliata is strongly reminiscent of cereal plants. The inflorescences of the plant, which is up to 60 cm high, consist of bushy panicles that bear decorative spikes from May to June. With a view to the flowering period, eyelash pearl grass is relatively early. As a result, the ornamental aspect can be used for garden decoration very early in the year.
An inflorescence of Melica ciliata can develop more than 100 individual spikelets, the ciliated fluff of which transforms the plant into fluffy fescue during flowering. Even in winter, the dried spikes of plants are still highly decorative and set beautiful accents in the midst of white blankets of snow. An optimal ornamental grass that is suitable for numerous design concepts in the garden.
Eyelash pearl grass in the garden
Melica ciliata originally comes from the Mediterranean region and from the steppe regions of Asia. The distribution area extends from Southern Europe and North Africa across the Arabian Peninsula to Northwest China. Despite its love of warmth and sun, peagrass is very hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -29 °C. It can therefore be left in the garden all year round without any problems and does not require winter protection.
Due to its origin in dry steppe and prairie areas, ciliate pearl grass is ideal for dry and light gardens. Especially in the
- Heidegarten
- Mediterranean Garden
- Natural Garden
- Prairie Garden
- and steppe garden
the ornamental grass cuts an extremely good figure. A planting is conceivable, for exampledry stone walls, in gravel beds or borders. Melica ciliata can also be cultivated in a pot, for example on the terrace or balcony, without any problems. Here, Melica ciliate harmonizes particularly well with purple bells and chrysanthemums. A good tip is also pearl grass for roof gardens or as a green roof. Thanks to the loose, partly overhanging clumps, decorative grass areas can be conjured up on the roofs, which skilfully give the house a piece of natural appearance. Melica ciliata comes into its own here, as well as in the border, in small groups of 10 to 12 each.
| Eyelash Pearl Grass (Melica ciliata) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | curved, inclined to erect, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 30 - 60 cm |
| Growth: | 25 - 30 cm |
| Plant Supplies: | 10 to 12 pieces per m² / planting distance 30 cm |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, permeable, poor in nutrients |
In the wild, ciliate pearlgrass is part of the so-called tawny fescue rock band corridors (Festucion pallentis). The sweet grass likes to grow in combination with fescue species, which are also suitable as planting partners in the garden. This also applies to other ornamental grasses such as sedges, bluegrass or blue-ray oats. In addition, other Mediterranean plants such as lavender, rosemary, sage or thyme make decorative neighboring plants. Ornamental and ornamental perennials such as aster, columbine, lavender and ornamental onion are also beautiful plant partners.
Location and Planting
The ideal location for eyelash pearl grass is sunny and dry to freshly moist. Because the ornamental grass also loves alkaline soils, a soil pH of 8 to 10 is advisable. In its places of origin, Melica ciliata usually thrives on rubble or rocky ground. Sandy-gravelly or gritty-loamy substrates should therefore be selected. As far as the soil nutrients are concerned, the pearl grass likes it rather low in humus and nutrients, but the ornamental grass loves lime.
Plant eyelash pearl grass - step by step
- Step: The best planting time for eyelash pearlgrass is spring. Choose a sunny day here and make sure that late frosts are no longer a threat. A planting date in May after the ice saints. is therefore ideal.
- Step: Before planting, loosen the soil well. To increase soil permeability, you can optimize the substrate with sand or gravel. A gravel drainage in the root area is also useful.
- Step:The planting hole for Melica ciliata should be about twice the size of the root ball. Since the clumps of the ornamental grass also grow up to 30 cm wide, the planting distance should be chosen accordingly (about 30 cm / see also information table above). Place the clumps in the planting hole so that the base of the clump remains above the ground.
Watering and fertilizing eyelash pearl grass
In terms of care, pearl ciliate grass is quite undemanding. Manual watering is not necessary in suitable locations. Fertilization is also unnecessary with this frugal ornamental grass.
Cut and multiply eyelash pearl grass
Melica ciliata requires minimal effort when it comes to pruning. Since the beautiful heads of corn conjure up beautiful accents in the garden all winter long, they only have to be trimmed just before the new shoots in spring. Then cut the clumps back to the base so that they grow abundantly again. If you would like to use eyelash pearl grass for decorative purposes, you can also remove stalks to embellish bouquets of flowers and dried flowers.
Propagating pearly cilia by self-seeding
The ornate, ciliated spikelets of the ciliate pearl grass develop pseudo-fruits, which spread over the wind like parasol flyers. If you don't want that, you should cut off the inflorescences in good time after the flowering period.
Propagation by division
To rejuvenate the plant, you can in spring propagate older clumps by dividing the roots. Simply dig up the plant and divide the ornamental grass with a spade or a sharp knife. The sections can then be put back into the bed immediately.
Eyewort pearl grass - various subspecies
There are different varieties of Melica ciliata, depending on the region, which can provide more variety in the garden.
Melica ciliata subsp. ciliata, for example, impresses with overhanging spikes, the husks of which shine a strong violet. The range of this subspecies extends from southern Europe to southern Sweden, southern Finland and the B altic States.
Melica ciliata subsp. glauca, on the other hand, grows mainly in Central Europe at altitudes of up to 1700 m. Slightly violet husks are also characteristic of this variety, although the culms do not overhang when the fruit is in state.
Melica ciliata subsp. magnolii thrives mainly in the Mediterranean and in the Aegean. The culms of this subspecies grow taut and upright, with the spikelets up to25 cm long.
Melica ciliata subsp. taurica is native to the Arabic region. Their spikelets are much shorter than those of other varieties of ciliate pearl grass.
Diseases and Pests
Eyewort pearl grass is basically relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Only mistakes in care can damage the he alth of the ornamental grass. First and foremost, it is a too humid location that can become dangerous for Melica ciliata due to root rot. It is therefore essential to ensure sufficient soil permeability and avoid waterlogging. As mentioned, manual watering should be avoided anyway.