Briza media L.
Big Quaking Grass
Common quaking grass is a slender, tufted perennial native to Britain and much of Europe, beloved for the delicate flowerheads that give it its name. From early summer it carries loose, open panicles of small, rounded, locket-shaped spikelets that hang on hair-fine stalks and shiver and rustle in the lightest wind, turning from purplish-green to a pale, papery brown as they ripen.
About
Common quaking grass is a slender, tufted perennial native to Britain and much of Europe, beloved for the delicate flowerheads that give it its name. From early summer it carries loose, open panicles of small, rounded, locket-shaped spikelets that hang on hair-fine stalks and shiver and rustle in the lightest wind, turning from purplish-green to a pale, papery brown as they ripen. Below the flowers sit short tufts of narrow, blue-green leaves.
It is a classic plant of old, unimproved grassland, especially well-drained neutral to calcareous meadows, downland and grassy banks, where it indicates ground that has escaped heavy fertilising. It does best on poorer soils in full sun and is a valued component of wildflower meadow and chalk-grassland seed mixes, both for its charm and as a sign of botanical richness. Its seedheads add movement and structure, and the sward supports a range of grassland invertebrates.
Also known as
Common Quaking Grass · Perennial Quaking Grass · Perennial Quakinggrass · Quaking Grass · Quaking-Grass · Totter Grass
Synonyms
Briza anceps · Briza australis · Briza clusii · Briza compacta · Briza elatior · Briza elatior australia · Briza elatior australis · Briza lutescens · Briza media albida
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.