Description
This low plant, grown as an annual or biennial, belongs to the grass family (Gramineae). Hare's tail is a low ornamental grass, 20–40 cm tall, from southern Europe and North Africa. The stems are thin and upright, and the flowers form spike-like panicles with long-haired glumes – a very delicate little egg-shaped plume only a few centimetres long, which changes colour over time from green to beige.
Hare's tail is excellent for edging; it looks very attractive as a border between different plant mixes. It suits this use so well because its colour brings a note of calm and harmony. It can also be used in dried bouquets.
Requirements
Hare's tail is not a demanding grass – in fact it is very easy to grow. It needs sandy, warm, dry soils and full sun; it is not suitable for moist, heavy soils.
Propagation
It is propagated by seed sown in March–April in trays in a cold frame, in rows 20 cm apart (treating it as an annual). At the end of April it can be sown directly outdoors. If you treat it as a biennial, sow the seeds in autumn; when the small seedlings appear, prick them out into pots or trays and keep them over winter in a cool, bright place. With this second method it will flower in spring.