With a range of interesting colours, heights and textures, this mix of ornamental annual grasses is extremely useful in the garden. These easy to grow, low maintenance plants can be used to fill gaps amongst slower growing perennials, to add texture to annual beds or as highlights in Mediterranean or Gravel garden planting schemes.

Many of the grasses have graceful, pendant, nodding flowers, they are most useful for flower arrangers, they can be used either fresh or dried and make elegant focal or secondary flowers in summer or winter arrangements. They are particularly decorative at Christmas when they can be sprayed silver or gold etc

To dry, gather when the heads have changed colour but before they start to break up, cut the flower at the height of bloom and hang upside down in a cool, dark place to dry. If dried correctly they will hold their colour well.

This mixture of annual flowering grasses varies, dependent on time of year and availablility of seed.
The pack will contain some or all of the following and seed count will vary:

Avena sterilis:
The Animated Oat Grass is a tufted annual growing up to 90cm (36in), the oat like flower heads are slightly twisted.

Briza maxima:
The Quaking Grass grows to about 45cm (18in) and has graceful, nodding flower heads and is often used sprayed silver or gold in floral displays.

Briza minima:
The Little Quaking Grass grows to about 38cm (15in) it also has graceful, nodding, pendant, heart shaped flower heads.

Hordeum jubatum:
The Squirrel Tail Grass grows to about 45cm (18in), the graceful flower heads are about 7cm (3in) long.

Lagurus ovatus:
The Hares Tail Grass grows to about 45cm (18in), it has soft, fur like, silky heads.

Panicum villosum:
This grass grows to about 45cm (18in) with pendulous flower tassels of green through to violet.

Pennisetum villosum:
The Feathertop Grass is loosely tufted grass growing to about 20cm (8in), with soft plumb like panicles of pale green which slowly become purple with age. Sometimes this is grown as a perennial.

Phalaris canariensis:
The Canary Grass grows from about 30cm (12in) high, it is a fresh green colour often with a delicate grey bloom.

Setaria glauca:
The Bristle Grass grows to about 75cm (30ins) with bronze/green flowers heads.

Setaria macrostachya:
This grass grows slightly larger than Glauca at about 85cm (34ins). The long bristles on the flower heads are also longer, giving a subtle difference when planted together.

Sowing:
Sow in spring or in autumn
Annual grasses can be propagated by seed sown in spring or autumn. They are best sown directly where they are to flower. Grow in sun and in well drained soil.
Sow 6mm (¼in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart in well cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Germination is dependent on species. Thin out the seedlings to 23cm (9in) apart. Replant the seedlings that have been removed

Cultivation:
Most grasses require very little aftercare as long as plenty of organic or fibrous matter is incorporated to dry sites to help retain adequate moisture. The soil should not, however, be high in nutrients. If too much water is a problem, increase the drainage by mixing sharp grit into the soil.
These grasses should not require fertiliser. The more nitrogen grasses receive the greener and further they'll grow. This spreading habit is fine in a field, but in a garden they may become too lush and the flower quality may suffer.
Gather seed heads from the flowers to provide seeds to be sown the following season.

Plant Uses:
Architectural, Cottage/Informal Garden, Drought Resistant, Flower Arranging, (Cut and Dried) Borders and Beds, Low Maintenance or Mediterranean.