Hordeum jubatum - Orge à crinière, Orge barbue, Orge queue-d’écureuil

Hordeum jubatum, the Foxtail Barley, is a small grass prized for its spikes adorned with long, fine, and shiny bristles. Initially pale green, they turn silvery pink or purple, then become blonde as they ripen. These inflorescences are particularly decorative in low light or when they sway in the wind. This plant grows and flowers quickly in well-drained soil, in full sun. It is perfect for natural borders, edging, and coastal gardens, but also provides graceful spikes for dried flower arrangements.

This species belongs to the Poaceae family, formerly known as grasses. It is a herbaceous short-lived perennial, sometimes biennial and often grown as an annual. Its longevity largely depends on its spontaneous self-seeding, which can be abundant. Hordeum jubatum grows naturally in temperate and cold regions of North America as well as across a vast part of Asia, from the Caucasus to Siberia and northern China. In its native habitat, it occupies meadows, temporarily wet depressions, riverbanks, and disturbed soils. This wild grass is particularly well-adapted to alkaline or slightly saline soils. Its fibrous rootstock, lacking creeping rootstocks, produces new stems from its base and forms a dense clump 25 to 35 cm wide. The narrow, flat, and slightly rough leaves are light green to greyish-green. They dry up at the end of the growing season. The slender flowering stems rise to 50 or 60 cm in height, then bend slightly under the weight of the inflorescences. These measure 7 to 13 cm in length. They are composed of spikelets extended by long, silky bristles that form the characteristic 'mane' of this barley. Flowering occurs from June to August, but it can shift towards the end of summer on young plants established in spring. The spikes are green when they form, then their tips take on pink to purplish hues. At maturity, they fade, become silvery beige, and disarticulate to release the seeds. These germinate easily in open soil. The plant is very cold-hardy, wind-tolerant, and resistant to some salinity. Contrary to its frequent use in dry gardens, it does not tolerate long periods of drought.

Foxtail Barley looks best planted in small groups or scattered irregularly among full-sun perennials. In a natural-style border, its silvery pink spikes can mingle with the long pale petals of Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' and the purple spikes of Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'. In a flower garden, it will accompany dahlias and bush roses. This barley is also suitable for sunny borders and coastal gardens as it tolerates slightly saline soils and sea spray. Spikes intended for dried flower arrangements should be cut before full maturity, when they are still silky and firmly attached to the stem.

Caution: mature bristles bear tiny barbs that can penetrate the skin, ears, eyes, or nostrils of animals. This plant should therefore be kept away from areas frequented by dogs.