Greater Quaking Grass is a delicate ornamental grass that earns its name from the papery, heart-shaped spikelets that quiver and dance with the slightest breeze. Growing 24 inches tall with a naturally compact 12-inch spread, this heirloom variety blooms throughout the summer months (June through August) and thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 8 through 11. It's a low-water plant that asks little of gardeners while delivering months of gentle movement and visual interest to borders, containers, and dried arrangements.
Full Sun
Low
8-11
24in H x 12in W
—
Moderate
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The trembling seed heads of Greater Quaking Grass catch light and motion in ways that few other plants can, creating an almost hypnotic effect as they sway in the slightest breeze. Its compact, tidy growth habit means it never sprawls or overwhelms neighboring plants, making it surprisingly easy to fit into garden compositions. Summer-long blooming keeps the show going from early June straight through August, and the dried spikelets hold their form beautifully for cutting and arrangement work.
Greater Quaking Grass excels as a cut flower and dried grass for arrangements. The distinctive trembling seed heads are prized by florists and gardeners alike for adding texture and movement to fresh bouquets, and they retain their papery, quivering quality when dried, making them invaluable for long-lasting indoor displays.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep seedlings at 65 to 70°F. Transplant out after the last frost date has passed.
Move seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost, hardening off gradually to full sun exposure.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost. This is the recommended method for Greater Quaking Grass.
Cut seed heads for drying once they have fully developed their papery texture and the spikelets turn golden. This typically occurs in mid to late summer (July through early August). Snip stems just above the base using sharp scissors or pruners. Hang bundles upside down in a dry, well-ventilated space to cure completely before storing or arranging.
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