Melica nutans
Melica nutans
Melica nutans
Melica nutans
Melica nutans
Mountain Melic, Nodding Melic
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Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Melica nutans, also known as mountain melic and nodding melic, is a small short-lived perennial grass that thrives in the edge of woodlands and in moist soils. It forms a tuft of light appearance, composed of broad fresh green leaves. In spring, arched stems emerge from the foliage carrying slender panicles adorned with round, purple-brown and white-cream spikelets that sway at the slightest breeze. Its compact habit is perfectly suited for small spaces.
Melica nutans is an herbaceous perennial plant with slender rhizomes belonging to the large Poaceae family. This herb is native to Europe, the Caucasus, and Siberia. It is well adapted to most climates and is perfectly hardy.
This melic forms a light tuft of flexible, broad, and flat leaves with a light green colour, reaching 60cm (24in) in height when flowering, and 30cm (12in) for the foliage. The slender oval flower spikes, hanging on curved pedicels, are white-cream in colour, surrounded at the base by a brown-purple sheath. This flowering is carried by gracefully arched stems above the foliage, which adds to the charm of this plant.
Hardy and undemanding in terms of soil quality, nodding melic grows in any good garden soil, preferably in semi-shade. It likes moist but not overly wet soil. It works wonders on the edge of a grove or planted at the base of a bushy hedge. It can be paired with hostas, lungworts, Epimedium alpinum, Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', or even with tall foxgloves.
Melica nutans in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Melica
nutans
Poaceae
Mountain Melic, Nodding Melic
Western Europe
Planting and care
Melica nutans is undemanding in terms of soil quality. It grows in any good garden soil that is fertile, light, and remains moist even in summer. Ideally, plant it in partial shade or light sunlight. In very hot regions, the foliage may enter dormancy as early as August if the plant is exposed to sunlight.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.