Shivering grass, Briza media – care and propagation

A typical member of the sweet grass plant family (Poaceae), the native quaking grass loves the sun and shuns water. Therefore, the dainty Briza media is one of the most popular pond plants in hobby gardens; is always in the background where the earth is drier.

• Sunny to partially shaded position.
• Dry, well-drained soil without waterlogging.
• Slightly acidic pH between 5 and 7.

Since the common trembling grass only forms short, underground rhizomes, it is weak in competition and needs an appropriate distance to its plant neighbors if it is to develop splendidly. It is therefore often found in heath gardens, on roof gardens and on tops of walls.

watering and fertilizing

As the requirements for the location already indicate, the trembling grass does not like wetness very well and also prefers a poor soil.

• Water only during prolonged drought.
• In the bucket, the trembling grass needs a regular dose of water.
• The Briza media does not receive any fertiliser.

That’s it in terms of watering and fertilizing, so that the average rainfall in the local regions should be sufficient for the water supply of the trembling grass.

To cut

The medium trembling grass, Briza media, is the only member of the genus Briza that is hardy. The types of small and large trembling grass are annual grasses for which cutting is not an issue. The native species, on the other hand, receives an annual pruning, which takes place in early spring. In autumn and winter, the sweet grass protects itself from frost and snow with its evergreen stalks and withered inflorescences. Consequently, a cut at this point would be rather counterproductive. In addition, the trembling grass decorates the otherwise deserted garden throughout the winter, especially when the winter sun squints through the frozen stalks.

• The best time for pruning is spring, when it’s not freezing.
• The new shoot should not be visible yet.
• As a precaution, the eyrie is checked for small hibernating animals.
• The grass is packed in tufts and cut off close to the ground.

In view of the increasingly mild winters, the right time to cut the trembling grass is suddenly missed. Under no circumstances should you cut into the fresh shoots. In this case, the experienced hobby gardener is limited to removing the outer, dried stalks or cutting them just above the young shoots.

multiply

The trembling grass presents itself as unobtrusively as in the care, when the garden lover strives for a propagation. sow seeds

• In the spring, fill a seed tray or seed pots with nutrient-poor soil.
• A peat-sand mixture with the addition of perlite is ideal.
• Scatter the seeds on top and cover thinly with the substrate.
• Keep only slightly damp in a bright, warm place for the next 14 days.

The germination rate increases if the seeds spend time under glass or under a plastic bag at 20° to 25° Celsius. If the seed pot becomes too small, the time has come to separate the young plants into their own pots, which they then root through. From mid-May, the Briza media are strong enough to be planted outdoors.

direct sowing

Alternatively, sowing takes place directly at the intended location from the end of March. However, numerous garden enthusiasts report high failure rates due to moisture, ground frost and pests. Therefore, a preculture by sowing indoors or in a greenhouse is recommended.

division

Anyone who is already the proud owner of a Briza media eyrie has the opportunity to propagate the ornamental grass by dividing it. For this purpose, the mother plant is dug up in the spring and cut into several pieces with a spade or a sharp knife. It is important to note that each section has 2 to 3 knots. These can then be planted immediately at the new location.
By dividing, the trembling grass is rejuvenated at the same time, which increases the vitality and lifespan of the plant.

plants in the bed

The self-propagated or ready-made trembling grass is ideally planted in the bed in spring when the ground is no longer frozen. Since it is very sensitive to moisture, the Briza media should be used on a small hill so that rainwater or irrigation water can run off more quickly.

• Remove weeds and stones and roots at the intended location.
• Then loosen the soil thoroughly with a rake.
• Raise a small mound in which the root ball is used.
• In the last step, the young trembling grass is watered.

It is important to note that the Briza media is not planted deeper than it was in the seed pot. In addition, the weak quaking grass needs enough distance to the plant neighbors so that it is not overgrown.

plants in the bucket

Thanks to the decorative, purple-colored spikes during flowering, in connection with the elegant habit, the quaking grass is often cultivated in tubs. On the balcony or terrace, ornamental grass contributes to an aesthetic, harmonious appearance all year round.

• Only use planters that have a water drain in the bottom.
• Lay out drainage from coarse materials such as gravel or pumice.
• Standard earth with some perlite is suitable as a substrate.
• Plant the trembling grass and water well.

Experienced hobby gardeners always leave a pouring edge free so that nothing spills over later.

Ideal for dried bouquets

The distinctive inflorescences are excellent for drying and using in bouquets or arrangements. As soon as the lovely spikes are fully developed in June, they should be harvested on a dry day. In order to prevent fungal attack, the drying process is preferably initiated on the same day.

Air drying

• Tie the stems together with a wide ribbon or elastic.
• Do not pull the binding material too tightly so that it does not cut into the grass.
• Hang upside down in a dry place that is not too bright.

As the quivering grass dries, the cord may loosen due to the loss of water. Consequently, it is checked from time to time whether the binding is still holding.

Preserve

If the dried quaking grass inflorescences are used for a special occasion, it is possible to preserve them with glycerine.

• Mix water and glycerin in a 2:1 ratio
• Place the trembling grass stalks into the mixture until the liquid has disappeared

During this process, the water evaporates while the stalks absorb the glycerine. As a result, they are flexible and shimmer softly. However, it takes at least 4 weeks for the preservation to be completed.

Conclusion
Unfortunately, it is rarely found in the wild. Imaginative hobby gardeners compensate for this fact by including the filigree quivering grass in the design of their garden. As early as May, the heart-shaped spikes appear in a soft purple and sway with the ever thicker grass in the summer wind. They do not require any time-consuming maintenance work from the gardener, except for pruning in the spring. Once the inflorescences have withered in autumn, the evergreen clumps of Briza media take over and decorate the garden, balcony and terrace throughout the winter.