Lagurus ovatus

Lagurus ovatus Flower (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Poaceae

Lagurus ovatus is a deciduous annual, erect, clump forming grass. Its light green leave blades are lanceolate and softly pubescent, up to 20cm long and 14mm wide. Its white/ green flowers are arranged in fury panicles, are up to 7cm long and 2cm broad and found at the ends of erect stems. Its flowers mature to a pale brown in autumn.

Lagurus ovatus, commonly known as Hare’s Tail Grass, Bunnies’ Tails, Turk’s Head Grass or Rabbit’s Tail Grass, is native to the Mediterranean region.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lagurus is derived from the Greek lagos meaning ‘a hare’ and oura meaning ‘a tail’, in reference to the shape of its flowers. Ovatus is derived from the Latin ovare ‘to lay eggs’, in reference to the seed heads.

Lagurus ovatus (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Lagurus ovatus useful as a component of a prairie type planting scheme. This grass will readily self seed. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Lagurus ovatus seeds are attractive to birds.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Lagurus ovatus their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1995.

Lagurus ovatus prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It prefers a sandy soil.

Lagurus ovatus requires little maintenance.

Pennisetum villosum

Pennisetum villosum (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Poaceae

Pennisetum villosum is a clump forming, deciduous, perennial grass. Its light green leaves are linear, up to 60cm long and 6mm broad. Its white/ green flowers appear in panicles above the leaves and are up to 5cm long. This plant readily goes to seed. Its roots are rhizomes.

Pennisetum villosum Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Pennisetum villosum, commonly known as Feathertop Grass, is native to North East Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

The etymology root of the binomial name Pennisetum is derived from the Latin penna ’feather’ and seta ‘bristle’ in reference to the seed heads. Villosum is from the Latin meaning ‘shaggy’.

The landscape architect may find  Pennisetum villosum useful as part of a prairie type planting scheme. It also looks fantastic when planted en mass. In colder climates this plant can be treated as an annual and may self seed.

Pennisetum villosum Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Pennisetum villosum seeds are attractive to some birds.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Pennisetum villosum their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Pennisetum villosum prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Pennisetum villosum requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance last years leaves may be pruned to ground level in spring.



Landscape Architecture

Inula helenium

Inula helenium Flower (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Asteraceae

Inula helenium is a clump forming herbaceous perennial. Its dark green leaves are variable and are hairy on the underside. Its basal leaves are elliptic with denticulate margins, up to 40cm long and 20cm broad. Its leaves growing from the stems are ovate to lanceolate with serrate margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm broad. Its yellow flowers are similar to those of the Sunflower and up to 9cm across. Its fruit is an achene which is up to 4mm long. Its roots are thick, fleshy rhizome.

Inula helenium, commonly known as Elecampane, Elf Wort, Wild Sunflower, Horse Elder, Yellow Starwort, Horse Heal or Marchalan, is native to central and southern Europe (including the south of the UK), and south west Asia. The roots of this plant are used in the manufacture of Absinthe in France and Switzerland. It has a long history of medicinal use.

The etymological root of the binomial name Inula is from the ancient Latin name for this plant. Helenium is from the Greek Elenion, the name of Helen of Troy.

Inula helenium (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find  Inula helenium useful wild flower meadow or herbaceous planting schemes (it may need staking to keep a tidy appearance). Once established this pant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Inula helenium is attractive to pollinating insects.

Inula helenium prefers moist, deep, rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Inula helenium requires little maintenance. large clumps may be divided in spring or autumn.