Holcus lanatus L.
Common Velvetgrass
Yorkshire-fog is a soft, tufted perennial grass and one of the most familiar natives across the British Isles. The whole plant has a downy, greyish-green texture that gives it a velvety feel, and its leaves and sheaths are noticeably hairy.
About
Yorkshire-fog is a soft, tufted perennial grass and one of the most familiar natives across the British Isles. The whole plant has a downy, greyish-green texture that gives it a velvety feel, and its leaves and sheaths are noticeably hairy. In summer it throws up loose, branching flowerheads that open from a tight grey-green spike into a soft cloud flushed with pink, purple or buff before fading to a pale straw colour as the seed ripens.
It grows almost anywhere there is rough, undisturbed ground: meadows, pastures, road verges, woodland edges, waste places and damp grassland, tolerating a wide range of soils. Quick to colonise and a prolific seeder, it can become dominant in neglected or fertile swards, so it is usually a minor component rather than the aim of amenity mixes. It does, however, provide cover and seed for insects, small mammals and birds, and is a food plant for the caterpillars of several meadow butterflies and moths.
Also known as
Fog Grass · Soft-meadow Grass · Velvet Grass · Woolly Soft Grass · Yorkshire fog · Yorkshire-Fog · meadow softgrass · velvetgrass · woolly softgrass
Synonyms
Aira holcus-lanata · Aira lanata · Avena lanata · Avena pallida · Ginannia lanata · Ginannia pubescens · Holcus aestivalis · Holcus argenteus · Holcus glaucus
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.