Species Early Hairgrass

Early Hairgrass

Aira praecox

Early Hairgrass (Aira praecox) is a species of grass native to the western Derbyshire and North York Moors of the United Kingdom. This hardy perennial features crystalline blades of foliage that grow to about 10cm tall. The foliage emerges from neat clumps of short culms arising from a self-sowing base. In early summer, panicles of narrow long awned flowers spike the crown. Flowering may be precluded by cutting back clumps in spring or by being subjected to mild winter frosts. Early Hairgrass grows best in poor, well-drained, sandy or gravel soils in a sunny or partial shade location. It can tolerate drought and frost and is ideal for cottage and rock gardens and alpine troughs.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun

Soil:

Clay, Sand, Loam

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

For Spreading Bentgrass, it is advised to water the turf lightly but frequently, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water per week. Watering at the early hours of the morning is best to avoid evaporation by the sun. If the grass forms footprints after walking on it, then it is a sign that it is deficient in water. Avoid excessive watering as that can promote disease.

sunlight

Spreading Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) needs full sun exposure to grow and thrive. This plant prefers at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. More sun is not necessarily better, however, so be careful not to expose your Spreading Bentgrass to too much sunlight which can cause heat stress and burn the leaves. Morning sunlight is generally preferred for this grass species as it gives it time to adjust to the light and heat throughout the day. Planting your Spreading Bentgrass in an area that is direct sun most of the day during the summer months is ideal.

pruning

For Spreading Bentgrass, pruning should be done twice per year. Once in the fall and again in early spring. Pruning should be limited to no more than 1/3 of the total plant growth. This will help to promote a dense, lush turf with even coverage. Additionally, mowing should be done regularly to keep the turf looking its best.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.