Briza media 'Limouzi'

About this cultivar:

Briza media 'Limouzi' is a well-behaved matt forming grass, native to the UK. Its main attraction is the purplish flowerheads which hang from long stems. The leaves are a bluish-green. The flowerheads and stems fade to a warm buff colour as they mature.

• Position: Full sun, Partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Flowers: May, June, July, Seed-head structure in August and maybe September
• Other features: -
• Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
• Foliage: Evergreen
• Height: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
• Spread: 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Grass like
• Colour: Yellow, green
• Goes well with: Place it in strategic location where the breeze will catch it and where you can look through it at other plants and parts of the garden (as if through a lacy, rattling, curtain). I've even seen it look great in pots. Also looks great grown in a praire style with plants like Achillea and Astrantia

About this genus:

Briza is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae, native to northern temperate regions. The group is generally referred to as the quaking grasses because the flowers and seedheads shake and rattle on their stalks in the slightest breeze.

There is much disagreement and drama among authorities regarding the taxonomic boundaries of this genus. As of 2008, there were approximately 19 species, but this is likely to change as species are moved into and out of the genus- DNA research is on going, expect another name change sometime soon.

A few species are native to the British Isles. Briza has a reputation as a vigorous self-seeder - which many people like - HOWEVER the cultivars we sell do not seed much if at all (they have been bred to do so).

I (Paul) love Briza because it plays with nearly all the senses. It looks great and its appearance changes over time as the seed heads open, it moves gracefully in the breeze (I wonder if Briza is a botanical pun on Breeze?), it makes a lovely rattling sound in the breeze, and it also is great to run your hands through and touch when the seed heads are open. When it stops flowering the seed head give structure for another few months.

Briza will grow almost anywhere but it looks best in a bit of sun (like most grasses). Place it in strategic location where the breeze will catch it and where you can look through it at other plants and parts of the garden (as if through a lacy, rattling, curtain). I've even seen it look great in pots.

Also looks great grown in a praire style with plants like Achillea and Astrantia.