Phalaris canariensis
Canary grass, canary grass herb, phalaris: native to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean Basin, this annual grass has been cultivated for centuries for its seeds, historically a staple food for caged birds. In the garden, its pale green, dense and compact ovoid spikes also have genuine ornamental value.
Characteristics:
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Compact spikes: pale green ovoid inflorescences turning straw-blond at maturity, with a highly graphic appearance.
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Nutrient-rich seeds: small, oval and rich, they are the standard food for birds.
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Rapid growth: an easy annual grass, forming dense cover within a few weeks.
Sowing advice:
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Exposure: sunny.
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Soil: light, well-drained, ordinary soil. Undemanding, it tolerates poor soils but appreciates soil that remains cool while the seeds are developing. No special fertilization required.
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Method: no stratification. Sow in spring, directly in the ground or in a pot, broadcast or in rows, covering lightly. Water regularly until germination. See how to sow your seeds.
Care advice:
- Water regularly to maintain soil moisture during growth. No other care is required.
Harvesting advice:
- Harvest the spikes when they have turned blond and the seeds come loose when rubbed. Cut the stems, dry them in bunches in a sheltered place, then remove the seeds by hand.
- For dried bouquets, cut the spikes while they are still green, before full maturity.
Beneficial combinations:
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Left standing, it directly feeds wild seed-eating birds in the garden — goldfinches, greenfinches and sparrows — without the need for a bird feeder.
- Its dense cover shelters soil-dwelling microfauna and beneficial insects.
Uses:
- Seed production for birds, temporary ground cover, ornamental meadow and dried bouquets.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Nothing could be simpler: the harvest is all it takes. Keep some of your seeds to sow again the following year — a self-sustaining cycle that saves you from buying birdseed mixes. See how to store your seeds.
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 Volcanoes of Auvergne, we choose reproducible, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, carefully sorted and packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our conviction: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
Produce your own bird food, season after season.
