Foxtail Barley Ricky

This ornamental grass definitely loves sun and warmth. It thrives best in fully sunny locations, where its fluffy plumes can color up beautifully. Planting tip: It is ideal to place the seedling where it doesn't have too much aggressive competition from other massive grasses, so that its elegance can fully stand out and it can ripple beautifully in the wind.

Certainly, growing in containers is a great choice, especially if you have a really sunny balcony. Important rule: The pot or planter must have drainage holes, and don't forget to put a sufficient layer of drainage (e.g., expanded clay or gravel) at the bottom so that water never stands at the roots. In a container, the barley will need slightly more frequent watering than in a standard garden bed.

You certainly do not need to worry about uncontrollable weeding. Although it has excellent self-seeding ability, the young plants have shallow roots and can be pulled out very easily if necessary. If you want to prevent unwanted seeding entirely, there is a simple practical tip: just trim the faded flower spikes in time, before the seeds fully ripen and scatter around.

Yes, foxtail barley is absolutely fantastic for florists and home crafting! It is great for cutting into fresh summer bouquets, to which it adds lightness and delicacy. It is just as suitable for drying. How to dry: For dried arrangements, cut the spikes while they are still slightly greenish and not fully developed. Always dry them hanging head-down in a darker, shaded, and well-ventilated place.

We have great news for you! Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) is an incredibly hardy plant. It does not suffer from any common fungal or viral diseases, and classic garden pests avoid it as well. You will not need any preventive or curative chemical sprays at all. In terms of health protection, it is an absolutely maintenance-free plant.

This is the most common problem with short-lived ornamental grasses. Even though frost resistance is high, excessive moisture plays a crucial role in our Central European winters. If the winter was muddy with a large amount of rainfall or melting snow, the roots rotted in the poorly drained soil. Remember that barley tolerates constant temperature fluctuations and dampness much worse than stable arctic frost.

The plant will delight you with flowers throughout the summer, specifically from June to August. The inflorescences consist of fluffy awns up to eight centimeters long. Flower color: The awns are fresh green at first, but as they ripen, they turn into an elegant beige color with a very attractive lilac (purplish) tint. They react amazingly to the slightest breeze and add dynamics to the garden.

The plant itself does not contain any chemically toxic or poisonous substances, so there is no risk of direct poisoning. Mechanical hazard: However, mature dry awns can be a problem for pets (especially for dogs running through the flower bed). They have very fine barbs that can painfully lodge in an animal's mouth, ears, or paw pads. If you have pets, we recommend cutting off the spikes after flowering as a precaution.

Botanically, it is an annual, or sometimes a biennial or short-lived perennial. This depends primarily on the specific site and the severity of the winter. Fortunately, the plant self-seeds very readily and reliably. Even if the original mother plant does not sprout after a wet winter, you are guaranteed to see new young seedlings from the autumn sowing appearing in its vicinity in the spring.

In peak season, during flowering, the 'Ricky' foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) reaches a height of between 40 and 60 centimeters. This ideal medium size makes it a perfect companion plant for the front and middle sections of annual and perennial beds. Regarding fragrance, the barley is not aromatic and does not emit any scent, making it perfectly safe and pleasant even for people sensitive to strong floral fragrances.

You will receive a beautifully grown and strong seedling in a pot, which you can plant directly into its final location. Difficulty: Hordeum jubatum 'Ricky' is an ideal choice even for complete beginners. It does not require any complicated care or special fertilizers. Just choose a suitable sunny spot, and it will soon reward you with beautiful flowers.

This wild ornamental grass originally comes from North America, where it grows in prairies and sandy soils. Thanks to its low-maintenance nature, it has spread to regions with mild to warm climates all over the world. Its most interesting feature is the fluffy flower spikes with long awns that resemble a mane (hence the Czech name 'hřívnatý', meaning maned) and create a unique aesthetic impression of movement.