Grass - Ornamental : Oryza sativa Black Madras

Hardy Annual

• Germination : Easy
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Borders, Containers
• Height : 16 inches

Description

An easy-to-grow black grass which will bring a touch of Asia to your garden with its green-purple ornamental foliage. Oryza sativa Black Madras is stunning in borders or containers using a moisture-retaining soil. Looks fabulous all summer.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds from February to May in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover seeds with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag and put in warm place, and keep at a temperature of between 20-25C (68-77F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 7-10 days. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.

Growing Instructions

Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart or into large containers filled with a moisture retaining compost.

Please note: When they first germinate, plants are often green. They begin to show purple colouring after about 8 leaves have developed. They will turn deepest purple once they are moved outside and planted in a border.

Aftercare

Plants grow well in full sun or part shade.