Milium spp.

wood millet

Poaceae

Temperate Europe, Asia, and North America

Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Milium spp. is a small genus of annual and perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. The most familiar species, Milium effusum, wood millet, is a loosely tufted woodland perennial of shaded, moist deciduous forest. Plants form clumps of broad, soft, flat green leaves 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, from which slender stems rise to carry airy, open, much-branched flower panicles in late spring and early summer; flowering stems reach 12-60 inches (30-150 cm) tall. The tiny spikelets are spread along thread-like branches, giving the panicle an open, see-through look. The golden-leaved selection M. effusum 'Aureum', Bowles's golden grass, is grown for its yellow spring foliage in shade. Across the genus, plants are cool-season growers, most active in spring and autumn, and tend to fade in summer heat. Milium spp. grows on moist, humus-rich soils in part to full shade and self-seeds where conditions suit. It is a woodland-edge grass rather than a drought-tolerant meadow type.

Native Range

Milium spp. is native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. M. effusum has a wide circumboreal range through moist deciduous and mixed woodlands of these regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown in shade and woodland gardens, along the cool edges of borders, and as ground-layer texture beneath shrubs and trees, with the golden form used to lighten shaded corners. The genus self-sows to weave between other shade plants. It suits naturalistic woodland and streamside plantings on moist soils.

How to Identify

Identify Milium spp. by its broad, soft, flat green leaves and its airy, widely branched flower panicle holding many tiny spikelets on hair-like stalks. In the cultivated form 'Aureum' the spring foliage is bright yellow. The wide soft leaves and open see-through panicle separate wood millet from narrow-leaved meadow grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, generally May to July. The open, branched panicles carry many small spikelets and are wind-pollinated. Seed ripens through summer and self-sows freely in suitable shaded ground.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Green to straw

Foliage Description

Green (yellow in 'Aureum')

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in part to full shade on moist, humus-rich, free-draining soils, reflecting the woodland habitat of the genus. Cool-season growth is strongest in spring and autumn, and clumps may look tired in hot, dry summers. Steady soil moisture keeps the foliage fresh, while drought and full sun cause scorching, especially in the golden-leaved form. Plants are short-lived but renew themselves by self-sown seedlings, which can be moved while small. The golden form comes fairly true from seed in shade. Little feeding is needed on reasonable woodland soil.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Spent flowering stems and tired foliage are cut back in summer to encourage a fresh flush where moisture allows. Old growth is cleared in late winter before new spring leaves appear.

Pruning Schedule

summerwinter

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Grass