Briza maxima

Nicknamed 'Tall Quaking Grass' or 'Great Quaking Grass', Briza maxima is a close relative of Briza media. This light grass develops a tuft of foliage that undulates in the wind. In summer, floral stems emerge from its foliage, bearing large, trailing spikelets shaped like hearts, transitioning from green to silver-white tinged with purple. Insensitive to difficult conditions, clinging to poor and dry soils, this plant self-seeds once and then reseeds with a friendly nonchalance in gardens that leave room for nature. It is also wonderful in dry or fresh bouquets.

Briza maxima is an herbaceous annual plant with fibrous roots belonging to the Poaceae family, like many grasses. This particularly hardy and undemanding grass is native to Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The plant grows in tufts of flat, rough, linear, light green leaves. In a few months, it will measure 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in all directions. The foliage is evergreen in winter for autumn sowings. From May to July, depending on the sowing date and climate, inflorescences appear, sparsely branched, with long capillary and arched branches, each carrying 1 or 2 scaly spikelets of characteristic shape, resembling hearts. They are greenish in colour, then tinted with silvery-white and purple. At maturity, the spikelets take on a straw blonde colour. The seeds are dispersed by the wind and ensure the species' survival in the garden and in nature.

The great quaking grass is a perfect plant for every situation, due to its easy cultivation and graceful flowering. This grass accompanies flowering and light perennials and annuals, such as linarias, penstemons, field daisies, damask nigellas, cosmos, or annual poppies. The dark foliage of Cotinus 'Royal Purple' or Physocarpus 'Diabolo' will highlight its dancing spikelets. Sow it along a path, in a rockery, along a patio, or in a large pot, grouping several plants. Choose a location illuminated by the sun in the late afternoon: swept by the wind and crossed by twilight, it always offers a magical spectacle. It looks wonderful in dry bouquets.