Briza Maxima - Quaking Grass

Briza maxima Greater Quaking Grass / Rattle Grass

Heart-shaped, locket-like seed heads dangling from fine wiry stems and trembling in the slightest breeze — Briza maxima is literally the sound of a lazy summer afternoon, and quietly one of the most useful ornamental grasses you can grow from seed.

The seed heads are the entire point of this Mediterranean grass. Each one is shaped like a small, flattened, scaly heart-shaped locket, hanging on a thread-fine stem so delicate that the slightest breath of wind sets the whole plant rattling and dancing. They start out a soft silvery-green tinged with pink, then ripen gradually through the summer to a warm golden straw colour, and the dried heads hold their shape and colour brilliantly for everlasting arrangements. Hardy annual that grows to 45–60cm in a tidy clump, flowers from June onwards, and self-seeds politely if allowed. Exceptional in cottage gardens, gravel borders, meadow-style plantings and most especially the cutting garden — both for fresh and for drying. Drought-tolerant once established, deer- and rabbit-resistant.

A note on growing

Easy. Sow direct outdoors from March to May, or autumn-sow in September for stronger, earlier-flowering plants the following year. The seeds are larger than most flower seeds and germinate reliably; sow at 1cm depth and thin to about 15cm spacing. Briza prefers lean, well-drained soil — like Bunny Tails and Bronze Fennel, it produces more flowers in poor ground than in rich. Do not add compost or fertiliser. Full sun. Self-seeded plants will appear in following years; either pull excess seedlings or transplant them as desired.

Where it shines

In the cutting garden first and foremost, where the trembling heart-shaped lockets bring movement and informal grace to any summer bouquet. As a dried flower, Briza is one of the most reliable performers — the heads hold their shape and ripening colours for years. In the border, plant in airy drifts at the front or middle for a soft, meadow-style effect. In gravel gardens and Mediterranean-style plantings, the natural drought-tolerance suits the dry conditions perfectly. The seed heads are also surprisingly long-lasting in the garden — they look beautiful well into autumn, providing winter structure if left.

Plant alongside

For a cottage cutting garden grass-and-flower combination, plant Briza alongside Bunny Tails (its softer relative) and the airy white lace of Ammi majus. For meadow-style plantings, combine with Cornflower, Larkspur and Bronze Fennel. For drying, harvest alongside Bunny Tails, Bupleurum and the dried Aster heads for a coordinated everlasting harvest.