Is it a good lawn grass?

It is generally not recommended for lawns as it grows in clumps and can look untidy.

Regular mowing before it sets seed is the most effective way to prevent it from spreading.

Guide botanique

Yorkshire fog.

Holcus lanatus

Prononciation HOL-kus lah-NAY-tus

Aussi appelée Common Velvetgrass, Fog Grass, Mesquite, Soft Grass, Soft-meadow Grass, Tufted Softgrass, Velvet Grass

Yorkshire fog is a soft, perennial grass that often grows in clumps. It is quite adaptable and frequently found in meadows or along roadsides. You will recognize it by its velvety texture and pale, purplish flower heads.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Perennial grass
Lumière: Full sun to partial shade
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 3 à 7 jours
Taille adulte: 30 to 60 cm
Croissance: Rapide
Rusticité: USDA 4 à 9
Floraison: Late spring to mid summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist as this grass thrives in damp conditions. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or lack of nutrients. It spreads easily, so keep an eye on it if you are planting it in a garden bed.

Arrosage: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Engrais: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Taille: Trim back dead foliage in late winter to encourage fresh spring growth.
Rempotage: Repot when the root system becomes crowded and starts to lift out of the container.
Sol: Moist, fertile, well-draining soil
pH du sol: 5.0 to 7.5
Température: -20 à 35°C
Humidité: 40 à 80%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Faible
Durée de vie: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Moyenne

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long
The plant becoming root-bound and stunted

Sécurité

Humains: It is not considered toxic to humans, though it is not a food source.
Enfants: The foliage is generally safe, but the sharp seed heads can be irritating if handled roughly.
Allergènes de contact: The fine hairs on the leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Allergènes aéroportés: The pollen is a significant allergen for many people during the late spring and summer months.
Comestibilité: This grass is not intended for human consumption and may cause digestive upset.

Comment l'identifier

Soft, velvety hairs on leaves
Pale green or purplish flower spikes
Forms dense, low growing tufts
Ligules are membranous and hairy

Hauteur: 0,2 à 1m
Envergure: 0,3 à 0,6m
Feuilles: gray-green, semi-evergreen
Fleurs: pink, purple, white, 0,5 à 0,8cm

Problèmes courants

Rust — Fungal infection causing orange or brown pustules on the leaves.

La cultiver

Multiplication: seed, division
Quand planter: spring, autumn
Hivernage: The foliage may die back slightly in cold weather, but it generally remains green in milder climates. No special protection is required.
En pot: It is rarely grown in containers as it prefers open ground, but it can be kept in a large pot if kept consistently moist.

Division

1. Dig up a mature clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the sections immediately in moist soil.

Seed

1. Collect seeds in late summer once they turn brown.
2. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in autumn.
3. Keep the area consistently moist until germination.

Pair this grass with moisture-loving wildflowers to create a naturalistic meadow aesthetic.

Bonnes associations

Meadow buttercup — They naturally occur together in damp, grassy meadows.
Garden sorrel — This plant thrives in similar acidic, moist soil conditions.

Espèces similaires

Holcus mollis — It is very similar but spreads more aggressively via long, underground rhizomes.

Science

Famille: Poaceae
Genre: Holcus
Ordre: Poales
Classe: Liliopsida
Région d'origine: Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Préservation: It is a common, widespread species and is not of conservation concern.

It is a resilient grass that spreads via seeds and short rhizomes, allowing it to dominate in damp, acidic meadows.

Intérêt pour la faune: larval host plant
Pollinisateurs: papillons
Utilisations: ornamental grass, erosion control, pasture forage

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND

Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 4/9
Lumière: 7/9
Température: 5/9
Humidité: 6/9
Nutriments: 3/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is it a good lawn grass?: It is generally not recommended for lawns as it grows in clumps and can look untidy.
How do I control it?: Regular mowing before it sets seed is the most effective way to prevent it from spreading.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Holcus comes from the Greek word for a type of grass, while the specific epithet lanatus refers to the woolly, hairy texture of the leaves.

Bon à savoir

It is often called Yorkshire fog because of the way the flower heads appear hazy in the morning light.
The plant thrives in damp, nutrient-poor soils where other grasses struggle.
It is a highly successful colonizer of disturbed ground.

Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.