Poa chaixii

Poa chaixii (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.2m (when in flower)

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Poaceae

Poa chaixii is is a deciduous perennial grass with an upright habit. Its light green leaves are smooth, strap shaped, up to 45cm long and 1cm broad. Its flowers appear as 25cm tall, 12cm broad lax panicles appearing on erect stems that are up to 1.2m tall.

Poa chaixii, commonly known as Broad Leaved Meadow Grass or Broadleaf Bluegrass, is native to the mountainous regions of central and south east Europe and west Asia. This species has naturalised in the UK.

The etymological root of the binomial name Poa is from the Greek meaning ‘fodder grass’. Chaixii is named after Dominique Chaix (1730 – 1799), a French botanist and priest.

Poa chaixii Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Poa chaixii useful as an effective ground cover grass when planted en mass or as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme particularly in lightly shady locations.

Ecologically, Poa chaixii seeds are attractive to some birds.

Poa chaixii prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Poa chaixii requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.