Melica nutans
Nodding Melick
Overview
Melica nutans is a slender, clump-forming perennial grass reaching 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall and spreading slowly by short rhizomes to form patches 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. The thin, arching leaf blades are mid-green, flat, and rough to the touch, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long. In late spring to early summer it produces loose, one-sided racemes that nod at the tips, carrying spikelets of purplish-brown to reddish flushed with green. The spikelets hang along one side of the wiry stems and fade to pale straw as seed ripens. Unlike many ornamental grasses, it grows in shade and woodland conditions rather than open sun. The plant is deciduous, dying back in autumn and re-emerging in spring from creeping rhizomes. It forms open, airy stands rather than dense tussocks and spreads at a slow to moderate pace. Native to deciduous woodland across Europe and temperate Asia, it grows on neutral to alkaline soils, often over limestone. Dry, fully exposed sites cause early browning and limit spread. The narrow seed heads are short-lived and shatter by late summer.
Native Range
Melica nutans is native to deciduous and mixed woodland across Europe and temperate Asia, from Britain and Scandinavia east through Siberia to the Russian Far East and Japan. It grows in dappled shade on neutral to alkaline soils, often over limestone.Suggested Uses
Used in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalistic plantings among ferns and shade perennials. Suited to underplanting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs on limey soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering racemes appear in late spring to early summer, typically May to June. The nodding spikelets are purplish-brown to reddish and fade to straw as seed forms. Seed heads shatter and drop by late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Melica nutans grows in part shade to full shade in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. It tolerates soil pH from about 6.0 to 8.0 and grows on thin soils over limestone. Established plants spread slowly by rhizome and need little care beyond occasional division to control spread. Dry, sunny, exposed positions cause early summer browning and weak growth. The grass self-seeds modestly where conditions suit it. Old foliage can be cut back in late winter before new shoots appear.Pruning
Old foliage is cut back to near ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Spent flower stems can be removed after seed drop. No other pruning is required.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing