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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Miscanthus transmorrisonensis Miscanthus transmorrisonensis
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola striata Viola striata

Hairy Melic Grass Melica ciliata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
MEL-ih-kah sil-lee-AY-tah
Description

M. ciliata is a deciduous, perennial grass forming a spreading clump of stiff, narrow green or blue-green leaves. In late spring it produces upright or arching stems with flower spikes up to 6 inches long made up of small, pale cream flowers with silky hairs. It is short-lived and goes dormant in the south. Self-seeds manageably.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#dwarf#ornamental grass#seeds#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#clumping#dried arrangements#perennial
 
Melica ciliata
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#dwarf#ornamental grass#seeds#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#clumping#dried arrangements#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Melica
    Species:
    ciliata
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Northern Africa, Southwestern Asia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Narrow, silky white inflorescence fade to cream; last about a month; good for fresh arrangements if cut before fully open
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaf blades are flat and stiff.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Specimen