Species Alpine Foxtail

Alpine Foxtail

Alopecurus magellanicus

Alpine Foxtail is a perennial grass native to South America and high-altitude areas of New Zealand. It has an erect growth habit with narrow leaves that are greenish-blue in colour. Its flower heads are cylindrical, composed of fine hairlike spikelets, which are particularly striking when seen in large clumps in the wild. Growing to an average height of about 20 cm, it is ideal for gardens looking for something low-maintenance and eye-catching. Alpine Foxtail will thrive in most soils, best with some moisture during dry spells, and prefers partial shade to full sun. Its tufts of feathery heading will attract bees and birds to the garden and is sure to captivate with its silvery-blue colour and gentle movement.

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Short Awn Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis var. aequalis) prefers an evenly moist soil with even soil moisture throughout its life cycle. It should be watered when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch, which usually means once every 1-2 weeks. If the season is particularly dry, this frequency can be increased slightly. When watering, be sure to fully soak the soil, providing enough moisture for the entire root system. Make sure to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Short Awn Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis var. aequalis) prefers to grow in areas with full sun exposure. This grass species thrives when it is able to absorb the maximum amount of direct sunlight. The ideal amount of daily sunlight for this type of plant is 6 to 8 hours. In areas with cooler climates, more full sun is preferable for optimum growth. Placing this grass in a spot that receives direct sunlight in the morning and filtered sun or shade during the mid-day and afternoon hours is ideal for its health.

pruning

Short Awn Foxtail does not need much pruning and can even remain unattended. Depending on the desired look and density, pruning should be done in mid to late spring. Remove dead or straggly stems and use scissors or shears to shape the plant. It is important to wait until late spring to prune so as not to interrupt the natural flowering of the plant in the previous season. If the plant is grown primarily for the flowering display, then prune after flowering has finished and all the flowers have gone to seed.

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