Lagurus ovatus
Oval haregrass, hare's tail, rabbit's tail, pussy tail: all these nicknames describe the same thing, its fluffy pompom-shaped spikes that one irresistibly wants to stroke. Its botanical name says the same thing in Greek: lagos oura, the hare's tail. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is one of the easiest grasses to grow successfully.
Characteristics:
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Fluffy spikes: silky pale-green pompoms turning creamy blond at maturity, 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 worked too much.
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Queen of dried bouquets: its spikes keep for years without becoming misshapen.
Sowing advice:
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Exposure: sunny, essential for beautiful, well-formed spikes.
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Soil: light, sandy, poor and well drained — this is a plant of dunes and poor Mediterranean soils. It tolerates drought very well once established and dislikes stagnant moisture. No fertilisation needed.
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Method: sow directly in the ground in spring, or in autumn in regions with a mild climate. No stratification necessary: germination is quick, in 10 to 14 days. See how to sow your seeds.
Care advice:
- Light watering is sufficient, as the plant tolerates drought well once established. No other care is needed.
Harvesting advice:
- For dried bouquets, cut the spikes 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 ragged.
Beneficial combinations:
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Its clumps provide shelter close to the ground for beneficial insects, and its seeds feed small seed-eating birds in autumn.
- Its drought resistance makes it a good candidate for water-efficient gardens.
Uses:
- Flower beds, borders, rock gardens and planters, where it adds a bohemian touch. Above all, it is indispensable in dried bouquets.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Let a few spikes ripen fully on the plant until they turn blond and begin to fray, then rub them over a container. Oval haregrass also readily self-seeds. 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, sorted and carefully packaged, without any chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
Sale reserved for amateur gardeners seeking quality and authenticity.
