Lagurus ovatus
Oval lagurus, hare's tail, rabbit's tail, bunny tail: all these nicknames describe the same thing—its fluffy, pompom-shaped flower heads that are irresistibly soft to the touch. Its botanical name says the same thing in Greek: lagos oura, meaning hare's tail. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is one of the easiest grasses to grow successfully.
Characteristics:
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Fluffy flower heads: silky, pale green pompoms that turn creamy blond when mature, growing on clumps 30 to 50 cm tall.
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Annual grass: very easy to grow, it self-seeds from one year to the next if the soil is not disturbed too much.
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Queen of dried bouquets: its flower heads keep for years without losing their shape.
Sowing advice:
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Exposure: full sun, essential for beautiful, well-formed flower heads.
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Soil: light, sandy, poor and well-drained—this is a plant of dunes and lean Mediterranean soils. It tolerates drought very well once established and dislikes stagnant moisture. No fertilization is needed.
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Method: sow directly in the ground in spring, or in autumn in regions with a mild climate. No stratification is necessary: germination is quick, taking 10 to 14 days. See how to sow seeds.
Care advice:
- Light watering is sufficient, as the plant tolerates drought well once established. No other care is necessary.
Harvesting advice:
- For dried bouquets, cut the flower heads just before full maturity, when they are still tightly closed and fluffy, then hang them upside down in the shade. If harvested too late, they become frayed.
Beneficial combinations:
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Its clumps provide shelter close to the ground for beneficial insects, while its seeds feed small seed-eating birds in autumn.
- Its drought resistance makes it a good choice for water-wise gardens.
Uses:
- Flower beds, borders, rock gardens and containers, where it adds a bohemian touch. Above all, it is a must-have for dried bouquets.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Leave a few flower heads to ripen fully on the plant until they turn blond and begin to fray, then rub them over a container. Lagurus also readily self-seeds. See how to store your seeds.
Our commitment to quality: at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for all living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Auvergne Volcanoes, we choose open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, carefully sorted and packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to sow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
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