Agrostis castellana Boiss. & Reut.
Bentgrass
Highland bent is a fine-leaved, cool-season perennial grass closely resembling our native bents, forming dense, low tufts with delicate, branching flower heads in summer. It is not native to Britain: its natural range lies in the Mediterranean region and Macaronesia, and it reaches this country largely through imported grass seed, occurring as a naturalised or casual plant across much of England with only scattered records elsewhere.
About
Highland bent is a fine-leaved, cool-season perennial grass closely resembling our native bents, forming dense, low tufts with delicate, branching flower heads in summer. It is not native to Britain: its natural range lies in the Mediterranean region and Macaronesia, and it reaches this country largely through imported grass seed, occurring as a naturalised or casual plant across much of England with only scattered records elsewhere.
It is grown chiefly as an amenity and sports turf grass, valued for producing a fine, hard-wearing sward, and turns up in lawns, golf and bowling greens, reclamation sowings and sown grassland. Because it is introduced and can spread, it is best thought of as a cultivated turf species rather than a wild British wildflower. Where a fine native-style sward is the aim, native bents are usually the more appropriate choice for conservation plantings.
Also known as
Highland Bent · dryland browntop
Synonyms
Agrostis alba castellana · Agrostis alba hispanica · Agrostis alba mutica · Agrostis alba olivetorum · Agrostis azorica · Agrostis azorica rigidifolia · Agrostis bolivaris · Agrostis byzantina · Agrostis byzantina segetior · Agrostis byzantina vegetior
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.