Briza maxima - Greater quaking grass

Briza maxima is an annual grass, taller and with larger spikelets than its cousin, Briza media, which is a perennial. This Greater Quaking Grass is very ornamental, particularly in late spring when the spikelets form and sway elegantly in the slightest breeze. They produce a characteristic whispering sound as they rub against each other. Tolerant of poor soils and drought, this grass grows in full sun in a border or rockery and can be used to create lovely fresh or dried cut flower arrangements. It self-seeds readily, fully justifying its place in a naturalistic or contemporary garden.

Briza or Quaking Grass belongs to the Poaceae family, formerly known as Gramineae, which is rich with nearly 12,000 species. This is the family of wild grasses, cereals used for our food, and decorative plants for our gardens, such as ornamental grasses (Chinese fountain grass, Fescue...), not forgetting the large group of bamboos, which includes the most imposing members of the family. The Briza genus includes about ten species of annual or perennial grasses, reaching a maximum height of 1 m. The Lesser Quaking Grass and the Greater Quaking Grass are both annuals, while the intermediate one is perennial. Briza maxima is also called Greater Quaking Grass, because in the Middle Ages, its supposed magical properties were believed to favour love. However, the name Briza does not refer at all to the breeze that makes its spikelets dance, but to the fact that they appear to be braided ("brizo" in Greek). It is an annual grass with a fasciculate root system, native to Mediterranean regions (southern Europe, North Africa) and naturalised in California and other parts of the globe. It forms a dense clump of elongated, flat, and slightly rough, bright green leaves. In just a few months, the plant reaches about 50 to 60 cm in height and spread. Although an annual, when it self-seeds (or if sown in autumn), the foliage persists through the winter (it is hardy down to -20°C). Between May and July, depending on climatic conditions, fine and flexible, sparsely branched flower stems appear, bearing one or two pendulous, highly decorative inflorescences, reminiscent of small hearts. Initially pale green, these spikelets, which measure 15 to 25 mm long, evolve into silvery and purplish hues before taking on a straw-blonde colour when ripe. The wind dispersal of the seeds allows the plant to self-seed easily and persist well, both in the garden and in the wild.

Easy to grow and very ornamental, Greater Quaking Grass naturally finds a place in all garden styles. It associates elegantly with airy perennials and annuals, such as the Love-in-a-mist, with its sophisticated architectural charm. Its subdued colour will temper the brilliance of Oriental Poppies, or Cosmos. It is best planted in groups along a path, in a rockery, at the edge of a terrace, or in a large container. A location bathed in the setting sun will enhance its movement and transparency, especially when animated by the breeze. Its wild appearance will be perfect in a naturalistic garden, favouring typical botanical species over horticultural varieties. Finally, its dried inflorescences can easily be dyed and are useful for composing dried displays.