Species Alpine Sweetgrass
white-brown flowers on green stems

Alpine Sweetgrass

Anthoxanthum monticola

Alpine Sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum monticola) is an evergreen clumping grass native to high elevation environments. It grows to heights of 4 inches, with leaves that have a soft, sweet scent when crushed. It is an excellent choice for rock gardens, as well as rockeries, meadows and borders. Its lacy foliage is a wonderful addition to any landscape. It is drought tolerant and thrives in well drained, poor to average soil. It is low maintenance and requires little watering, once established. White plumes appear in late spring, lasting through the summer. This hardy, drought tolerant plant is a great choice for xeric and alpine themed gardens.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,brown

Growth Rate:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Alpine Sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum monticola) should be watered every other day and given 2-3 inches of water per week. In addition, the soil should be kept uniformly moist but not soggy. The plant should not be allowed to dry out between waterings. During the summer months, it is important to make sure the soil is evenly moist amid hot and dry conditions. Water should be provided in the early morning hours to reduce water loss due to evaporation.

sunlight

Alpine sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum monticola) thrives in full sun exposure with partial shade. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, including the early morning and late afternoon sun, to keep its green foliage healthy and vibrant. The growth of this plant is best when the sun exposure is from early morning until mid-afternoon. When the temperatures are higher, it is recommended to provide some partial shade.

pruning

Alpine Sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum monticola) should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Prune the plant back by up to half its height, or even more if it is especially overgrown. Cut the stalks close to the base, and then lightly thin out the plant to encourage branching. Doing this will help keep the plant tidy and encourage long-term growth.